<p>Addressing reporters here, Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav said induction of 29 aircraft and enhanced utilisation of the fleet helped the carrier phase out 11 old aircraft.<br /><br />“By March 2010, three more Boeing B-777-200s, two Airbus A-310s and eight Airbus A-320s shall be returned or retired from the fleet as part of this exercise,” Jadhav added.<br /><br />Better utilisation of the fleet also helped in releasing capacity of five Boeing 747-400s and two Airbus A-330s for the Haj pilgrimage season, which resulted in substantial savings.<br />These and other measures would help the carrier save Rs.378 crore through cost reductions during the winter schedule and Rs.563 crore for the entire year, Jadhav pointed out.<br /><br />Besides route rationalisation, Air India withdrew from sectors like the India-Gulf routes and transferred these to the Air India Express, its low-cost carrier, to improve profitability.</p>
<p>Addressing reporters here, Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav said induction of 29 aircraft and enhanced utilisation of the fleet helped the carrier phase out 11 old aircraft.<br /><br />“By March 2010, three more Boeing B-777-200s, two Airbus A-310s and eight Airbus A-320s shall be returned or retired from the fleet as part of this exercise,” Jadhav added.<br /><br />Better utilisation of the fleet also helped in releasing capacity of five Boeing 747-400s and two Airbus A-330s for the Haj pilgrimage season, which resulted in substantial savings.<br />These and other measures would help the carrier save Rs.378 crore through cost reductions during the winter schedule and Rs.563 crore for the entire year, Jadhav pointed out.<br /><br />Besides route rationalisation, Air India withdrew from sectors like the India-Gulf routes and transferred these to the Air India Express, its low-cost carrier, to improve profitability.</p>