Indian gets the first of brand new 43 planes

New Delhi, Oct 19: Indian (Airlines) today received the first of 43 Airbus aircraft on order amid renewed optimism in the government-owned airline.

''It is indeed a historic occasion and ushers a new era for the airline which is witnessing the induction of its own aircraft after a gap of 12 years,'' said its chairman and managing director Vishwapati Trivedi.

''It is even more welcome coming as it does at a time when aviation in India is experiencing a phenomenal growth,'' he said after the spanking new 122-seater Airbus A319 in orange and blue livery landed at the IGI airport.

Delivery of all 43 aircraft will be completed by March 2010. The airline placed the order -- for 19 A319s, 20 A321s and four A320 -- earlier this year at an estimated cost of Rs 9,888 crore.

The A319 which joined the fleet today is the domestic carrier's 74th aircraft, 25 of which are Boeing planes.

The government aims to merge Indian and Air India (AI) during this fiscal year, said civil aviation minister Praful Patel at a ceremony marking the arrival of new Airbus aircraft. ''The times ahead will not be easy,'' he said. ''We live in a highly competitive environment. But the government will ensure enough seat capacity in the skies - both domestically and internationally.'' Mr Patel added that he is not personally happy with the performance of Indian and AI. ''They must raise standards and come up to the expectations of passengers.'' At present, all planes of Indian and its subsidiary Alliance Air are aged between 13 to 25 years. Indian currently operates a fleet of 53 Airbus aircraft including three wide-bodied A300s, 47 A320s and three leased A319s.

While 70 per cent of the 43 aircraft to be inducted are for replacing Indian's ageing fleet, 30 per cent is for capacity enhancement. The airline will receive six aircraft in 2007, followed by more than ten in 2008 with all aircraft delivered by 2010.

Officials said this acquisition by Indian will enable it to compete more effectively in the market with the modern Airbus A320 family, and allow passengers to benefit from flying in newer aircraft that are more comfortable and economical.

Mr Trivedi said the airline is targeting a net profit of Rs 104 crore rupees in 2006-07 compared with Rs 68 crore in the previous year.

UNI