The Hindu : AI Board to meet again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 13, 2003

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National

AI Board to meet again

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 12. In an effort to provide point-to-point services to routes in the Gulf and South East Asia, Air-India plans to invite technical and financial bids for acquisition of 18 small-capacity long-range (SCLR) aircraft with a seating capacity of 150.

In all probability, the airline will be looking at the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus 320 types of aircraft. The AI aims at giving the passengers the advantage of daily frequency. At its Board meeting in Mumbai today, it was decided in principle to acquire 18 SCLR aircraft. However, the Board deferred the decision in respect of the medium-capacity long-range (MCLR) aircraft and felt the need for yet another meeting.

The Board also decided to go in for dry lease of two A310-300 aircraft on expiry of the earlier lease in December 2003 and February 2004, AI sources said here.

The Technical Committee presented the techno-economic report to the Board in respect of 250-plus-seat MCLR aircraft based on the technical and financial bids submitted by the manufacturers. As the report required detailed deliberation, the Board was decided to meet again soon.

The Board also took stock of the impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) on Air-India operations and authorised the management to decide on the frequency of operations as per demand.

Approval was accorded for retrofitting of Sleeperettes in the First Class and Slumberettes in the Executive Class on the leased B747-400 aircraft. The retrofit of Sleeperettes in the First Class in the existing six AI-owned B747-400 aircraft has been completed and Slumberettes in the Executive Class will be completed by June. All these aircraft will also be provided with DVD Players in the First and Executive Classes.

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