Boeing Dreamliner delivery to AI delayed by 4 months

NEW DELHI: The delivery schedule of Boeing's B-787 Dreamliner to Air India has been delayed by four months, but it would not affect the operations of the national carrier which has ordered 27 of these long-haul aircraft.

The US aircraft manufacturer has informed Air India, which is the third launch customer of this next-generation plane, about the delay.

While the first customer, All Nippon Airways of Japan, would get its first B-787 six months later than scheduled, the delivery to Air India could be delayed by about four months only, a senior airline official said, adding that the first of these aircraft could be inducted by the third quarter of next year.

"Our operations will not be affected by this as we have not yet finalised our schedules for these planes," the official said in reply to questions. The national carrier could operate these aircraft for direct flights to the US, Europe or Australia and China.

The airline, before its merger with Indian, had placed orders for 68 Boeing aircraft. Now, it is in the process of firming up its requirements for more planes in view of the ever-growing air traffic.

"Only when we take the proposal (for additional aircraft) to the Board, a clear picture of how many and what type of aircraft we require will emerge," he said.

To questions regarding the operations of the low-cost carrier Air India Express, the official said though the airline was primarily focused on international operations, it would also start domestic services from the winter season.