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Air India, is expecting to get the delivery of first seven ‘Dreamliners’, sometime next week. However, the airline is expected to induct its new Boeing 787 planes only in May after all the mandatory certifications.
According to various online sources, US aircraft builder, Boeing averted all the assumptions of any further delay in the delivery of the 27 ‘Dreamliner’ planes ordered by Air India, the flag carrier of India. Boeing informed that the first seven of the ‘Dreamliner’ planes would land in Hyderabad next week during the 3rd India Aviation 2012 being held from March 14 to 18.
However, it is expected that the ‘Dreamliner’ planes would be inducted only in May after clearing the essential operational and technical certifications from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and other associated agencies.
Air India is expected to induct and paint the Dreamliners only after the completion of mandatory certification process in May. The Boeing 787, arriving in Hyderabad, would feature in c – the distinctive ‘red and white’ colours depicting the flying swan with the ‘Konark Chakra’.
A Boeing spokesperson said, “The super-efficient Boeing-787 Dreamliner is set to make its debut at Hyderabad as part of Boeing’s commercial products showcase at the 2012 India Aviation Airshow”.
He further informed that the Dreamliner aircrafts were set to land at Begumpet Airport on the eve of the incredible Hyderabad airshow and will remain on static display till March 16.
Air India has been expecting the delivery of Dreamliner airliners for almost three years and has sought a hefty compensation from Boeing.
In order to handle the financial burden this deal would include, the airline has decided to sell and leaseback first seven of these 27 dreamliners. Sources indicate that the airline is looking for bridge financing worth USD 230 million.
However, it is for the Indian government to decide whether to curtail the order or leaseback all the planes or purchase some of them outright. The government also seeks to sort out the compensation issue before the state owned airline starts inducting these Boeing 787s.
Air India, a popular choice for netting cheap tickets for flights to India, plans to replace its Boeing 777 aircrafts with B-787 Dreamliners on long-haul, non-stop flights including US and Canada.
Boeing 787 – Game Changer
The Boeing spokesperson while informing about Air India’s Boeing 787 said, it will feature “Beautifully designed interiors with warm colours, a luxurious business-class cabin, overhead crew rest compartments and an economy-class section,”
No doubt, with its plush and sophisticated interiors, tourists can expect Boeing 787 to be best choice for procuring tickets on flights to India for a comfortable travel.
Online sources cite that there were no details available on the number of seats in the two classes of travel due to commercial reasons.
Boeing’s Senior Vice-President (Sales) Dinesh Keskar was quoted as saying, “The 787 Dreamliner is a game changer and we are proud to bring it to India Aviation 2012, which is a perfect place to showcase the world’s most advanced commercial airplane.”
Boeing claims 787 Dreamliner to be 20 percent more fuel-efficient airliner than any other similarly sized wide body aircrafts. If the claims are anything to go by, the plane would undeniably benefit the holiday makers looking for cheap flight tickets. It would be interesting to see if the airline would pass on the benefits to the travellers delighting them with cheap flights and other offers.
The US Exim Bank, few months ago, decided to lend support to Air India’s plane acquisition programme from Boeing, including the B-787 Dreamliners. The extent of the support amounts to USD 3.4 billion.