Air India to acquire 111 new aircraft in 5 years

Jalandhar, Aug 22: National air carrier Air India will acquire 111 new aircraft, including 27 state-of-the-art 'dreamliner' 787, within five years.

To replace the old fleet with new aircraft, Air India has placed an order for 111 new aircraft, including 27 dreamliner 787, Northern India General Manager Rohita Jaidka said here today adding that with the induction of new aircraft, the old fleet would be phased out simultaneously.

She said by the year 2011-12, the Air India would be having a fleet of 119 aircraft, including 111 new aircraft, thus making it the youngest airline in the world.

She said after the successful launch of non-stop Mumbai-New York flight from August 1, the Air India has decided to launch four flights a week from Amritsar to New York via London from September 10th night without any extra cost and daily flight from Delhi to London via New York from September 11 with B 777 aircraft.

''Air India will be the first Indian carrier to directly link Punjab with USA via London,'' she said.

She said that budget airline Air India Express has decided to further strengthen its operations from Amritsar to Dubai by operating six flights a week from November 1.

Ms Jaidka also informed that Air India Express would soon be covering new destinations like Phuket, Port Blair, Male and Colombo, from Delhi with connecting flights from other parts of the country.

''Air India is also planning to start non-stop Delhi-New York-Delhi flight with new 777-200 LR aircraft.

These aircraft have state-of-the-art facilities and convenience including a horizontal bed in first and business class and board entertainment in economy class and many other features for the comfort of passengers,'' she said.

UNI