Boeing says its 787 aircraft a big help to Air India

Boeing's fuel-efficient 787 aircraft has helped government-owned Air India (AI) achieve operating profit, said Dinesh Keskar, the plane maker's senior vice-president (sales) for the Asia-Pacific.

“The 787 aircraft is a key part of AI's turnaround strategy. It has been able to lower its loss and enhance profitability, owing to fuel savings and reduced maintenance cost offered by the aircraft,” Keskar said on the sidelines of an Indo-American Chamber of Commerce event.

AI made operating profit of a little over Rs 100 crore in 2015-16, gaining benefits from reduced jet fuel prices. Its accounts are yet to be audited and it has not shared other financial details. This will be its first operating profit since merger with Indian Airlines in 2007.

AI had 27 Boeing 787s on order and has inducted 21 of these. It will add two more this year and the other four next year. And, take delivery of three Boeing 777-300ER planes from 2018 onwards. The deliveries are part of a $11 billion deal in 2005, for 68 planes.

Its low cost arm, Air India Express, is inducting six Boeing 737s on lease this year.

Last week, TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, supplied the 5,000th advanced composite floor beam used in the 787 aircraft. TAL's facility in Nagpur, the only non-US facility to supply the floor beams used in the 787, has been providing the floor beams as a part of the manufacturer offset clause in AI's aircraft order of 2005. “We have fulfilled our obligations, including construction of a MRO (maintenance and repair outfit) in Nagpur and AI has begun carrying out checks on aircraft there,” said Keskar.

Air India