(a) whether the fleet expansion proposals of Air India and Indian Airlines have been finally cleared?
(b) if so, the details of aircraft to be procured by the two airlines stating the name of the company and country from which they are to be procured;
(c) the total cost of the said acquisition alongwith the date by which the acquisition plan is likely to be implemented; and
(d) the sectors on which these aircraft would be inducted?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )
(a), (b), (c) and (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 81 FOR 08.12.2003 REGARDING EXPANSION OF AIR INDIA
(a), (b) and (c) : The Board of Directors of Indian Airlines in its meeting held on 27.03.2002 approved the proposal for acquisition of 43 aircraft comprising A-319, A-320 and A-321 from Airbus Industries during the period 2003-04 to 2007-08 at a net cost of Rs.10,089 crores. The Project Report submitted by Indian Airlines is under Government’s consideration.
The Board of Directors of Air India in its meeting held on 8.11.2003 approved the proposal for acquisition of 10 medium capacity long-range (A340-300) and 18 small capacity short-range (B-737-800) aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs.10,589 crores. The project report relating to this proposal has not yet been received by the Government.
(d): Indian Airlines plans to deploy the proposed aircraft on its existing domestic and international network.
Air India plans to deploy A-340-300 aircraft on Europe, USA and Saudi Arabia routes and B-737-800 aircraft on Gulf and South East Asia routes.