• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Port Info

• Ships in Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• Business Line
• The Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Jan. 20

THE Maharaja is in an expansion mode. It is not only looking at increasing the number of flights but also acquiring more aircraft.

Sources told Business Line that the low-cost airline of Air India, Air India Express, has firmed up plans for leasing three Boeing 737-800 aircraft to start operations.

AI officials said that it would be wrong to say that the airline was facing problems in leasing aircraft and was all set to start operations to the Gulf region from India.

"Air India Charters Ltd (AICL) has signed lease for three Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These aircraft will be used to operate flights from India to the Gulf. Initially, we will look at operations to the Gulf and expand to other destinations in the Far East in a phased manner," a senior AI official said.

The airline, which hopes to take to the skies later this year, plans to offer fares which will be at least 25 per cent lower than the base level of 2003-04.

Meanwhile, the top brass of the airline feels that AI should not ignore the recently unveiled 555-seater Airbus A-380 aircraft type of aircraft.

"AI should not ignore the A-380 type of aircraft. But, for the time being, we are not looking at that aircraft," the airlines Chairman and Managing Director, Mr V. Thulasidas, said.

The double-decker aircraft made by the European manufacturer was unveiled in France on Tuesday last.

The airline, which has recently leased a Boeing 777 aircraft, plans to acquire some more aircraft on lease and operate more flights to various international destinations, including connecting Australia through Singapore and launching more flights to London.

Mr Thulasidas said that the airline should be in a position to forward its 50-aircraft fleet acquisition plan to the Government soon.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
A380 may open new biz opportunities for HAL

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line