THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN )
(a),(b),(c) and (d): The age profile of the aircraft in Indian Airlines as on 1st December,2001 is as follows:-
Type No. of aircraft Average Age (exluding leased aircraft) A-300 6+2@ 21.2 A-320 30+4@ 10.3 B-737 11 20.3 DO-228 3 16.2 Total no.of 50+6@ Average Age 14.2 Years. Aircraft of fleet
(@ Leased Aircraft)
In order to augment capacity and replace its ageing fleet, Indian Airlines has both short term and long term plans to induct aircraft in its fleet.
To meet the short term requirements, Indian Airlines has considered leasing of aircraft on dry lease basis. Two A-300 B4 aircraft were taken on lease in May/June 1998 for a period of three years which was further extended for a period of two years i.e. till May/June, 2003. Two A320 aircraft were taken on lease in April/May, 2001 for a period of five years and another two A-320 aircraft in November, 2001. Two more A-320 aircraft are scheduled for induction in March, 2002.
Indian Airlines is also in the process of acquiring six 50 seater aircraft on dry lease basis for better connectivity in the North East.
To meet its long term requirement of replacing the fleet of B-737 and A-300 (including leased aircraft) Indian Airlines has carried out a techno-economic evaluation for induction of the suitable aircraft types available in the market. According to the study about 38 additional jet aircraft are required for capacity growth as well as replacement until 2006-07. The project cost of induction of these aircraft would be approximately Rs.9,000 crores phased over five years period.
