(a) the total number of the aeroplanes required and available at present in the country;
(b) whether a proposal was sent to the Planning Commission for approval for purchasing some more aircrafts;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the autorities concerned have approved the allocation of more funds for this purpose; and
(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith the amount allocated for the purpose?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) : National Aviation Company of India Limited and its subsidiaries at present have 140 aircraft in their fleet, which include 69 aircraft taken on lease. The need for additional aircraft, after the delivery of the aircraft currently on order is completed by 2011, is being felt on account of growth in domestic and international traffic, addition of capacity by foreign and Indian private carriers and additional services through synergy benefits from merger. An in-house Joint Working Group has been constituted by NACIL to prepare a concept paper on strategic network and capacity deployment plan.
(b): No, Sir.
(c),(d) and (e): Do not arise.