Air India has been given till the end of the month to decide on whether it wants to convert its order for acquiring three Boeing 777 aircraft into an order for 11 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The State-owned carrier was earlier expected to convey its decision to Boeing by the end of July but it sought an extension. The US-based aircraft manufacturer gave Air India a month to take the final decision, a senior airline official said.

The Boeing 737 MAX seats a maximum of 180 passengers, while the Boeing 777 can seat upwards of 230 passengers on every flight.  

However, while the Boeing 777 has been in service for some years now the Boeing 737 MAX is expected to enter service globally in 2017.

The three Boeing 777 aircraft were part of a 68-aircraft order which the carrier had placed in January 2006.

The airline is now keen to convert the delivery of the remaining three Boeing 777 to 11 Boeing 737-800 MAX as it has been finding it difficult to make money operating the Boeing 777. In 2013, Air India sold five Boeing 777 to Etihad for a deal valued around $350 million. The exact vale of the sale is yet to be made public.  

If Air India decides to go in for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, these will be used by its low-cost arm Air India Express, which operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet.

Leasing plans The carrier is also looking to lease 19 narrow body aircraft of which five are expected to come from China Aircraft Aviation Company.

The company is also in talks with various companies to lease up to 14 Airbus New Engine Option aircraft, which it hopes to induct into its fleet by 2017.  

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