New Delhi: India is looking at the Boeing 777-300 extended range (ER) as a replacement to the ageing Jumbo Jets used as VVIP aircraft for flying our president and prime minister on long overseas tours. Air India has five B747s in its fleets that are maintained mainly for such VVIP flights. But with these aircraft almost 25 years old, a replacement has to be found very soon.
"The B-777 300 ER is being considered as the next VVIP aircraft. AI has been operating these aircraft for years and has the technical and engineering knowhow for their maintenance. It also has the best pilots for the planes in India," said a source.
The Maharaja extensively uses the B 777-300 ER for long haul flights, including the nonstops to North America. Choosing this aircraft would mean that AI can use this for commercial flights when the same are not required for VVIP visits and make it an 'earning' member of the AI fleet.
02/02/15 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
"The B-777 300 ER is being considered as the next VVIP aircraft. AI has been operating these aircraft for years and has the technical and engineering knowhow for their maintenance. It also has the best pilots for the planes in India," said a source.
The Maharaja extensively uses the B 777-300 ER for long haul flights, including the nonstops to North America. Choosing this aircraft would mean that AI can use this for commercial flights when the same are not required for VVIP visits and make it an 'earning' member of the AI fleet.
02/02/15 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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