US aircraft maker Boeing Corp has bid to sell 50 medium and long range aircraft to Air-India and hopes to bag one of the big orders valued between $6 billion to $7 billion, a top Boeing official said in Bangalore.
“It (the bid) was done in December. All the three aircraft are in the running for Air-India and we feel that there are compelling advantages that will hopefully result in a sale here,” Boeing vice president Dinesh A Keskar told reporters on Monday on the sidelines of the Aero India 2005 international seminar.
Boeing’s European rival Airbus Industries last December said it is also in the race for Air-India order expected to be one of the biggest aircraft deals in India, which both the majors are aggressive to win.
The 50 aircraft deal includes 35 firm sales and option to buy 15 more by Air-India, he said.
Boeing has offered twenty 220 to 250 seater 787 aircraft, ten 380 seater 777-300 ER and five 250 seater 777-200R for the firm sales, while the options are seven 787’s, three 777-300 ER and three 777-200 LR, Keskar said.
“The order value is significantly high, when you include both the firm and option sales,” he said.
Boeing has not made a headway in the Indian market losing out to rival Airbus for the Indian Airlines, Air Deccan and Kingfisher airline orders, but has a strong supporter in Jet and Sahara airways. “We haven’t really done well here, but with Jet, Sahara and new players we are in the game,” he said.
By: KabirT - 13th January 2006 at 08:36
Yup…AI are getting the Boeing’s. 😀
By: US Agent - 12th January 2006 at 22:37
Boeing, Air India Celebrate Order Agreement for 68 Jets; Largest Commercial Airplane Order in India’s Civil Aviation History
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued Jan. 11, 2006)
MUMBAI, India — At a signing ceremony held today at Air India’s headquarters, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally and Air India Chairman and Managing Director V. Thulasidas formally announced an order agreement for 68 airplanes.
The order, placed with Boeing in December 2005, is valued at more than $11 billion at list prices and deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2006.
Air India’s order consists of 23 777s, including eight 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliners and 15 777-300ERs (Extended Range), and 27 787-8 Dreamliners. Air India Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, will receive 18 Next-Generation 737-800s.
“Boeing’s commitment to the Indian aviation industry dates back more than 60 years,” Mulally said. “Air India is a valued and long-time partner, and we look forward to working closely with this great airline as it expands its operations with its all-Boeing fleet and brings its unique offerings to the world.”
Air India currently operates a fleet of 11 747-400s, two 747-400 Combis, two 747-200s, two 747-300 Combis, three 777-200ERs and 21 Airbus 310-300s. The airline will use this order to support both fleet renewal and expansion plans. The 777s will replace the airline’s current fleet of 747-200 airplanes while the 787-8 Dreamliner will replace its aging A310 fleet.
“The positive economics of the 777-200LR, 777-300ER and 787 Dreamliner will offer Air India operational cost savings and the flexibility to serve new, ultra-long-range nonstop routes that our passengers demand, such as Delhi-New York and Mumbai-San Francisco,” said Thulasidas. “The combination of the 777 and 787, matched with the reliability and low operating costs of the 737s, will provide a competitive advantage for Air India and Air India Express.
“Air India will ensure that these new aircraft have the latest passenger amenities on board so that, with the induction of these aircraft, Air India can emerge as one of the leading global carriers,” Thulasidas added.
Additionally, Boeing has announced that it has committed to investing in a regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) base, and a pilot training facility in India. Details of this effort are to be finalized over the coming months.
“We are committed to our customers’ success,” said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Our airline partners are looking for solutions, and Boeing has the most efficient airplanes and the broadest range of support products and services to help our customers maximize their fleets’ operational efficiency.”
By: US Agent - 15th April 2005 at 16:54
Friday, April 15, 2005
Air India to decide soon on buying 50 planes
BLOOMBERG NEWS
Air India Ltd. will decide on buying 50 new planes in two to three weeks, Ajay Prasad, India’s civil aviation secretary, said in New Delhi yesterday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta reiterated his government’s expectation that India would give “fair consideration to the offer tendered by Boeing.”
The officials spoke in New Delhi at the signing of an air services accord between the two countries.
Indian carriers are buying and leasing planes to fly to more cities as economic expansion stokes business and leisure demand.
State-run Air India, based in Mumbai, formerly Bombay, needs new planes as it faces competition from Jet Airways (India) Ltd. and Sahara Airlines Ltd., which will start flights to the United States and Europe this year.
Both The Boeing Co. and Airbus “will get an equal chance,” Prasad said. The decision “will be based on the financial and technical offers they make. Ultimately, we will buy what’s best suited for us and the cheapest.”
Boeing said it expects Air India, Jet Airways and other Indian carriers to order planes worth as much as $10 billion in the “near term,” as economic expansion stokes more travel in Asia’s fourth-biggest economy.
Boeing expects to win a major share of that market, said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president in charge of sales. Keskar said the company expects India to buy planes worth as much as $35 billion in the next 20 years.
By: US Agent - 15th April 2005 at 16:54
Friday, April 15, 2005
Air India to decide soon on buying 50 planes
BLOOMBERG NEWS
Air India Ltd. will decide on buying 50 new planes in two to three weeks, Ajay Prasad, India’s civil aviation secretary, said in New Delhi yesterday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta reiterated his government’s expectation that India would give “fair consideration to the offer tendered by Boeing.”
The officials spoke in New Delhi at the signing of an air services accord between the two countries.
Indian carriers are buying and leasing planes to fly to more cities as economic expansion stokes business and leisure demand.
State-run Air India, based in Mumbai, formerly Bombay, needs new planes as it faces competition from Jet Airways (India) Ltd. and Sahara Airlines Ltd., which will start flights to the United States and Europe this year.
Both The Boeing Co. and Airbus “will get an equal chance,” Prasad said. The decision “will be based on the financial and technical offers they make. Ultimately, we will buy what’s best suited for us and the cheapest.”
Boeing said it expects Air India, Jet Airways and other Indian carriers to order planes worth as much as $10 billion in the “near term,” as economic expansion stokes more travel in Asia’s fourth-biggest economy.
Boeing expects to win a major share of that market, said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president in charge of sales. Keskar said the company expects India to buy planes worth as much as $35 billion in the next 20 years.
By: US Agent - 14th April 2005 at 05:41
…[related]…
EDITORIAL: Don’t just buy aircraft, make them here
The Air-India board wants to buy 50 commercial aircraft worth $6 billion, from Boeing Corp. Naysayers have been quick to impute motives to the transaction, pointing out that the only beneficiary would be the Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer; a few have said that the deal is driven by politics, not commercial sense; others have suggested that it makes no sense to buy so many planes from one seller. In fact, this deal could boost India’s strategic relationship with the US and New Delhi is engaged in a geopolitical balancing act, soothing US nerves at losing Indian Airlines’ $2.5 billion order to Europe’s Airbus.
The order is large, but that’s because A-I hasn’t bought planes for many years. Now, our aviation sector needs to grow very fast. For example, the number of India-China flights is scheduled to rise six times soon, from seven to 42 flights a week. So, the right question to ask is: In return for such a large order, is there anything we can get out of the US? There is. India could, for instance, ask Boeing to shift part of its manufacturing operations to India, which could become a low-cost aircraft manufacturing support centre for the US giant. This is a win-win situation: Boeing gets a huge topline lift from the order. Over time, its bottom line is boosted by cost cuts from manufacturing in India rather than in Seattle.
While buying military hardware, India insists on co-production. Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has emerged as a competent manufacturer of military aircraft. It also makes accessories and components for Airbus. Indian companies have secured deals to make software for Boeing. Boeing already has manufacturing, services and software operations in a few places like Australia and Canada. Neither country has India’s cost advantages. Therefore, Boeing could be asked to demonstrate its commitment to the Indian aviation market, from simple procurement to outsourcing. In any case, commercial plane manufacturing is an assembly job, putting together a vast number of complex components that ultimately turn into an aircraft. Boeing should take a cue from another Seattle-based global giant. Microsoft set up its first overseas development centre in Hyderabad some years ago, and has not regretted its decision. The conditions are right for another major Indo-American partnership to take wing.
By: US Agent - 14th April 2005 at 05:41
…[related]…
EDITORIAL: Don’t just buy aircraft, make them here
The Air-India board wants to buy 50 commercial aircraft worth $6 billion, from Boeing Corp. Naysayers have been quick to impute motives to the transaction, pointing out that the only beneficiary would be the Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer; a few have said that the deal is driven by politics, not commercial sense; others have suggested that it makes no sense to buy so many planes from one seller. In fact, this deal could boost India’s strategic relationship with the US and New Delhi is engaged in a geopolitical balancing act, soothing US nerves at losing Indian Airlines’ $2.5 billion order to Europe’s Airbus.
The order is large, but that’s because A-I hasn’t bought planes for many years. Now, our aviation sector needs to grow very fast. For example, the number of India-China flights is scheduled to rise six times soon, from seven to 42 flights a week. So, the right question to ask is: In return for such a large order, is there anything we can get out of the US? There is. India could, for instance, ask Boeing to shift part of its manufacturing operations to India, which could become a low-cost aircraft manufacturing support centre for the US giant. This is a win-win situation: Boeing gets a huge topline lift from the order. Over time, its bottom line is boosted by cost cuts from manufacturing in India rather than in Seattle.
While buying military hardware, India insists on co-production. Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has emerged as a competent manufacturer of military aircraft. It also makes accessories and components for Airbus. Indian companies have secured deals to make software for Boeing. Boeing already has manufacturing, services and software operations in a few places like Australia and Canada. Neither country has India’s cost advantages. Therefore, Boeing could be asked to demonstrate its commitment to the Indian aviation market, from simple procurement to outsourcing. In any case, commercial plane manufacturing is an assembly job, putting together a vast number of complex components that ultimately turn into an aircraft. Boeing should take a cue from another Seattle-based global giant. Microsoft set up its first overseas development centre in Hyderabad some years ago, and has not regretted its decision. The conditions are right for another major Indo-American partnership to take wing.
By: US Agent - 11th April 2005 at 22:43
Air India declines comment on Boeing order
Air India Ltd, the nation’s biggest overseas carrier, declined to comment on a report that it would buy $6 billion of planes from Boeing Co, the world’s second-biggest commercial aircraft maker.
Air India may buy 50 Boeing planes, with different seating capacity from 250 to 350 passengers, the Times of India reported on Monday, without saying where it got the information.
The 50-plane order would help Boeing catch up with Airbus SAS in India, after three airlines in the world’s second-most populous nation in 2004 picked 103 Airbus planes, including options. Spice Jet, Air India’s low-cost subsidiary and discount carrier, picked Boeing’s models.
“I don’t want to comment on the report,” Jitender Bhargava, spokesman of Mumbai-based Air India said in a phone interview. V. Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director of the airline, didn’t return calls seeking comment.
Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president in charge of sales at Boeing, didn’t return phone calls seeking comment. Keskar is scheduled to hold a press conference in Mumbai on Monday and in New Delhi on Tuesday about Boeing’s aircraft, including models like the 777 and 787 — planes being considered by Air India for purchase.
By: US Agent - 11th April 2005 at 22:43
Air India declines comment on Boeing order
Air India Ltd, the nation’s biggest overseas carrier, declined to comment on a report that it would buy $6 billion of planes from Boeing Co, the world’s second-biggest commercial aircraft maker.
Air India may buy 50 Boeing planes, with different seating capacity from 250 to 350 passengers, the Times of India reported on Monday, without saying where it got the information.
The 50-plane order would help Boeing catch up with Airbus SAS in India, after three airlines in the world’s second-most populous nation in 2004 picked 103 Airbus planes, including options. Spice Jet, Air India’s low-cost subsidiary and discount carrier, picked Boeing’s models.
“I don’t want to comment on the report,” Jitender Bhargava, spokesman of Mumbai-based Air India said in a phone interview. V. Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director of the airline, didn’t return calls seeking comment.
Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president in charge of sales at Boeing, didn’t return phone calls seeking comment. Keskar is scheduled to hold a press conference in Mumbai on Monday and in New Delhi on Tuesday about Boeing’s aircraft, including models like the 777 and 787 — planes being considered by Air India for purchase.
By: Mark L - 11th April 2005 at 21:59
Another one due soon apparently!
By: Mark L - 11th April 2005 at 21:59
Another one due soon apparently!
By: Grey Area - 11th April 2005 at 21:51
And I missed it!!! :(:(:(:(
By: Grey Area - 11th April 2005 at 21:51
And I missed it!!! :(:(:(:(
By: Mark L - 11th April 2005 at 21:48
Whoops!
By: Mark L - 11th April 2005 at 21:48
Whoops!
By: Grey Area - 11th April 2005 at 21:42
That was Air India Express though, not Jet Airways.
By: Grey Area - 11th April 2005 at 21:42
That was Air India Express though, not Jet Airways.
By: Mark L - 11th April 2005 at 21:38
Thanks, Kabir. 🙂
So they don’t plan to operate the B737NG to LHR and LGW then? 🙁
HeHe, almost ironic how one was in LHR at the weekend on its delivery flight 😎
By: Mark L - 11th April 2005 at 21:38
Thanks, Kabir. 🙂
So they don’t plan to operate the B737NG to LHR and LGW then? 🙁
HeHe, almost ironic how one was in LHR at the weekend on its delivery flight 😎
By: Himanshu - 11th April 2005 at 21:33
Boeing might be preparing for the party… IF the GOI is not planning otherwise.. 😉
A-I prefers Boeing for $6 bn purchase plan
NEW DELHI: This would, probably, be the biggest corporate victory for the US in India. State-owned behemoth Air-India is planning to award its over $6 billion mega order for purchasing 50 aircraft to the US-based aircraft-maker Boeing.
Together with its low-cost start-up A-I Express — which has already selected Boeing for its comparatively smaller $1-billion order for 18 planes, this would make the biggest order bagged by any single aircraft manufacturer in recent times.
If the Cabinet clears the order, it will be the strongest message yet to the US that India is willing to play hard for great power stakes. Washington’s recent avowals to enable India become a great power in the 21st century have strong economic underpinnings, and for the first time, India is in a position to leverage its economic clout for strategic ends.
Just as the F-16 deal would enhance India’s larger strategic goals with the US, the civilian aircraft order would be a strong political statement.
The plea, favouring Boeing planes over European rival conglomerate Airbus Industrie, is part of an A-I board meeting agenda forwarded to the ministry of civil aviation. According to ministry officials, the order is expected to be cleared in favour of Boeing at the next board meeting later this month.
When contacted, A-I CMD V Thulasidas refused to comment, saying: “I can only discuss the agenda once the board approves it. We will hold a board meeting shortly to take up the fleet purchase plan.”
However, according to ministry officials, the board agenda clearly states that the techno-financial feasibility report favours the purchase of an all-Boeing fleet for A-I.
The report, forwarded for A-I board approval, says the airline’s high-powered committee has chosen a mix of eight Boeing 777-200LR (long range), 15 Boeing 777-300ER and 27 Boeing 7E7-8 planes. The total acquisition would cost a whopping Rs 51,637.29 crore — which is over three times the order size of sister carrier Indian Airlines.
Ministry officials said the report states that a similar mix of Airbus aircraft would have cost Rs 53,433.48 crore, which is 3.4% higher than Boeing’s purchase price.
The Boeing planes, ministry officials said, have been selected in three categories — medium-capacity ultra-long-range aircraft, medium-capacity long-range 350-seater planes and medium-range 250-seater aircraft.
This is the second fleet acquisition plan being proposed by A-I in more than a year.
By: Himanshu - 11th April 2005 at 21:33
Boeing might be preparing for the party… IF the GOI is not planning otherwise.. 😉
A-I prefers Boeing for $6 bn purchase plan
NEW DELHI: This would, probably, be the biggest corporate victory for the US in India. State-owned behemoth Air-India is planning to award its over $6 billion mega order for purchasing 50 aircraft to the US-based aircraft-maker Boeing.
Together with its low-cost start-up A-I Express — which has already selected Boeing for its comparatively smaller $1-billion order for 18 planes, this would make the biggest order bagged by any single aircraft manufacturer in recent times.
If the Cabinet clears the order, it will be the strongest message yet to the US that India is willing to play hard for great power stakes. Washington’s recent avowals to enable India become a great power in the 21st century have strong economic underpinnings, and for the first time, India is in a position to leverage its economic clout for strategic ends.
Just as the F-16 deal would enhance India’s larger strategic goals with the US, the civilian aircraft order would be a strong political statement.
The plea, favouring Boeing planes over European rival conglomerate Airbus Industrie, is part of an A-I board meeting agenda forwarded to the ministry of civil aviation. According to ministry officials, the order is expected to be cleared in favour of Boeing at the next board meeting later this month.
When contacted, A-I CMD V Thulasidas refused to comment, saying: “I can only discuss the agenda once the board approves it. We will hold a board meeting shortly to take up the fleet purchase plan.”
However, according to ministry officials, the board agenda clearly states that the techno-financial feasibility report favours the purchase of an all-Boeing fleet for A-I.
The report, forwarded for A-I board approval, says the airline’s high-powered committee has chosen a mix of eight Boeing 777-200LR (long range), 15 Boeing 777-300ER and 27 Boeing 7E7-8 planes. The total acquisition would cost a whopping Rs 51,637.29 crore — which is over three times the order size of sister carrier Indian Airlines.
Ministry officials said the report states that a similar mix of Airbus aircraft would have cost Rs 53,433.48 crore, which is 3.4% higher than Boeing’s purchase price.
The Boeing planes, ministry officials said, have been selected in three categories — medium-capacity ultra-long-range aircraft, medium-capacity long-range 350-seater planes and medium-range 250-seater aircraft.
This is the second fleet acquisition plan being proposed by A-I in more than a year.
Sign In
February 7, 2005 at 3:53 pm