JOIN USUncertainty hangs over the delivery of the first of the 27 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Air India even though three of the planes are ready and parked in the manufacturer’s plants in the US.
The national carrier is expected to receive the delivery of the aircraft only after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves an agreement on the compensation package for Air India from Boeing for a four-year delay in delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Though a Cabinet note on the issue was moved by the Civil Aviation Ministry several weeks ago, official sources could not confirm as to when the matter would be taken up.
The Air India Board had on May 28 approved an agreement with Boeing on the compensation package and forwarded it to the government for approval.
Industry sources said any delay in taking delivery of the aircraft could also cost the airline. Globally, the final sale price of an aircraft is decided on the first of every month, after taking into account escalation in terms of depreciation and other factors.
Boeing, therefore, could be well within its rights to seek a higher price for the aircraft if delivery is pushed any further, the sources indicated.