AI evaluating option to switch order for larger Dreamliner

May 05, 2015 07:50 pm | Updated 07:50 pm IST - New Delhi

Air India is evaluating switching its order for Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing 787-8 to the larger version 787-9.

It has already taken delivery of 20 B787-8 aircraft out of the order placed for 27 such planes and the option of model substitution is being considered for some of the remaining ones that are yet to be delivered.

The national carrier has set up a senior committee, comprising representatives from Finance, Commercial, Engineering and Strategy & Planning departments, to evaluate the option to exercise the model substitution rights, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said the carrier has the option of substituting B787-8 aircraft with B787-9.

Boeing has provided four interior layout options for the B787-9 in two class (executive + economy) configuration and these are “24+270=294, 24+274=298, 18+286=304 and 18+292=320”, Mr.Sharma said.

“The B787-8 aircraft in the Air India fleet have an 18+238=256 seats configuration. In addition to the higher seating capacity, the B787-9 also offers 18.9 tonnes of cargo capacity compared to 15 tonnes for the B787-8,” he said.

Out of the order placed for 27 B787-8 aircraft, Air India has so far taken delivery of 20 such aircraft.

“The delivery of 21st B787-8 is expected by the end of June 2015,” Mr. Sharma said.

Model substitution rights is available for Air India under the purchase agreement for the B787-8 aircraft signed by it with Boeing.

In another written reply, the Minister said that recently a Mumbai-bound Air India flight with over 250 people on board was forced to return to Newark.

“On flight AI-144 operating on Mumbai-Newark sector with Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, the right hand engine experienced vibrations which crossed the normal levels. Hence, the pilot returned to Newark after fuel jettison.

“On inspection conducted on landing, one fan blade of the engine was found damaged,” he noted.

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