Boeing counts on 123-agreement between India, US

Mumbai, July 31 (UNI) American aircraft maker Boeing today hinted that the nuclear deal between India and the US may bring a windfall for the aviation industry in India, and it was eyeing an enhanced market for its product in view of the development.

''The civil nuclear deal between India and the United States is going to enhance the bilateral trade, which is expected to touch 100 billion dollars. This also means more trade and more travel,'' Boeing's Senior Vice President of Sales (Commercial Airplanes) Dinesh A Kesker observed, while giving a presentation on 'India: 2007 Market Outlook' here today.

He also said in July itself, the company has delivered 8 aircraft to different airlines in India, which makes it obvious at what pace the Indian aviation market is growing.

In July, Boeing had delivered two 777-200 LRs to Air India, two 777-300 ERs to private carrier Jet Airways, two 737-800 Ws each to Air India's subsidiary airlines Air India Express and budget carrier SpiceJet.

According to the company's projection, India needs 911 commercial aircraft worth more than 86 billion dollars over the next 20 years.

The Boeing in its previous forecast (2006-2026) had projected the need for 856 aircraft at an investment of 72 billion dollars.

''The 2007 Current Market Outlook (CMO) projects that commercial airplanes in the 90-400 seat categories will account for most of the growth in the air travel over the next 20 years, and airlines will continue to accommodate that growth by adding frequencies and point-to-point non-stop flights,'' he said.

The CMO-2007 for India includes 55 regional jets, 674 single-aisle, 173 twin aisle, and nine 747 and larger aircraft for future growth and fleet replacement.

UNI