Air India plots fleet growth

Air India expects to purchase more aircraft in the coming years – including possibly Airbus A380s or Boeing 747-8s – despite having recently placed firm orders with Boeing for 68 777s, 787s and 737-800s, writes Nicholas Ionides in Mumbai.
V Thulasidas, chairman and managing director of the state-owned flag carrier, says that, with the Indian market growing at such a rapid rate, more capacity will probably be needed than was originally envisaged when Air India placed the largest passenger aircraft order in Indian civil aviation history last year.
“We were looking at a 75-aircraft fleet for Air India when we did this exercise, but two years down the line we may find that this is inadequate for our requirements,” says Thulasidas, noting that this figure includes existing 747-400s that the airline owns and which it plans to retain. “If this growth continues on the same lines I think we will need more aircraft.”
Thulasidas says new types that are likely to be assessed in future include the ultra-large A380 and 747-8. He also says new-build freighter aircraft types may be looked at.
16/05/06 Flight International

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