Air India to get first 787 Dreamliner by 2011-end
By IANSWednesday, February 9, 2011
BANGALORE - Boeing India, the American aircraft manufacturer’s Indian subsidiary, Wednesday said the long-awaited delivery of Air India’s advanced 787 Dreamliner would be made in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Indias expanding aviation industry is among the fastest growing in the world and Boeing will continue its efforts to closely partner Indian carriers in optimising their growth and competitive advantage, said Dinesh Keskar, Boeing India president, at the Aero India show being held near Bangalore.
According to him, the technologically-advanced 787 would be a game-changer in the Indian aviation sector and would give the company’s customers cost advantage.
Earlier in November last year, the company had said the first deliveries of the Dreamliner aircraft to Air India would be made by the second quarter of 2011.
The national carrier has ordered for 27 B-787 Dreamliners, expected to be deployed on non-stop, long-haul flights to sectors like India-US.
The 200 to 300-seat aircraft is made of composite materials and new engine and flight technology, making it highly fuel-efficient and lowering cost of travel.
The plane can carry passengers non-stop on between 6,500 km and 16,000 km.
The company expects that with 15 percent growth in passenger traffic, increase in operating profits of airlines would translate into more orders.
Boeings 20-year outlook of 2010 said the Indian aviation sector would require 1,150 commercial jets valued at approximately $130 billion.
The first delivery to Air Nippon Airways was in the third quarter of 2011.
