The Hindu Business Line : Air India takes delivery of first Boeing business jet

The VVIP flight Boeing business jet to have separate meeting room, communication centre. It will replace the Govt's existing fleet of Boeing 737-200 aircraft.

New Delhi , Dec. 1

Air India has taken delivery of the first of the 68 Boeing aircraft that it is to purchase from the US aircraft manufacturer. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was delivered at a ceremony in Seattle attended by the airline Chairman and Managing Director, Mr V. Thulasidas.

The aircraft is the first of the 18 Boeing 737-800 aircraft that the airline is acquiring for use by its subsidiary, Air India Express Ltd. The airline placed the order for the aircraft, which have a list price of $11 billion, in December 2005. The President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and the other VVIPs will soon be able to travel long distances in more comfort and style.

Special configuration

The specially configured aircraft is to have a separate state and meeting room, communication centre and seating for at least 48 passengers. The basic cost of each aircraft is estimated to be around $40-45 million although the final amount to be paid is likely to go up depending on the work carried out on these aircraft.

Joint venture

Boeing business jets is a joint venture with General Electric and these aircraft can fly more than 11,110 km, thereby, allowing non-stop flights between Tokyo and Mumbai and India and London. It will replace the Government's existing fleet of Boeing 737-200 aircraft that is currently used to transport the VVIPs. The Boeing business jet is a derivative of the 737-700 aircraft.

Its induction into the Government's VVIP fleet will offer them the option of using either the Embraer or BBJ for their travels. The Embraer jets joined the VVIP fleet recently.

At present, the President, Prime Minister and Vice President use Air India aircraft on their travels abroad while for domestic travel the Boeing 737-200 aircraft, especially maintained by the Indian Air Force, are used.