Question : Acquisition of Aircraft

(a) whether the Government has formalized an acquisition plan for the acquisition of a new fleet of Helicopter/ Seaplane/ Fixed Wing Aircraft under the new Business plan 2017-27 and placed orders with Boeing for the purchase of 68 aircrafts and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether Boeing had delivered the required number of aircraft and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Air India has sought loan to finance part of its purchase order and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether an Expenditure Finance Committee has been constituted for the purpose of examining the acquisition plan and if so, the composition and the actual terms of reference of the Committee;

(e) the total number of aircraft available with various public and private airlines in the country, airline-wise; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to meet the growing demand in aviation sector?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Air India had signed a purchase order with Boeing for 68 aircraft in 2005. Air India has already taken a delivery of 65 (27 B787,12 B777-300 ER, 8 B777-200LR and 18 B737). The remaining 3 B777-300ER are scheduled for delivery in January/February, 2018. Further, Air India is in process of completing induction of 27 new A320 (Neo) on dry lease. Out of 27 A320 (Neo), Air India had already inducted 11 A320 (Neo) aircraft. ;

(c): Air India has sought loan to finance the delivery of the Boeing Aircraft. The outstanding balance as on 15th October, 2017 is at Annexure-I.;
(d): No, Madam.;

(e): A statement showing airline-wise number of aircraft available with public and private airlines in the country is given in Annexure-II.;

(f): Government has released its New Civil Aviation Policy, 2016 which includes various steps to meet growing demand of Civil Aviation Sector.