Ai Puts Airbus A330 In Mclr Race

Air India has included the Airbus A330 aircraft in the evaluation process for the $3 billion medium capacity long range (MCLR) aircraft contract, being fought between the US-based Boeing and Frances Airbus.

So far, the Airbus A340, the Boeing 777 and the MD-11 were in the race for the 23 aircraft contract.

An Air India expert panel had shortlisted Boeing 777 ahead of A340 for the deal.

No action has been taken on this but another committee has been formed to examine the recommendations of previous reports. Meanwhile, Airbus has succeeded in including A330 in the deal.

Airbus claims that the A330 has a shorter range but vastly improved fuel economy compared with the A340 and 777 models.

According to Airbus, Boeing does not have a plane to pitch against the A330.

Airbus director for India, Kiran Rao, told reporters here that they hoped to get a go-ahead for three Airbus A310 planes from Air India, the evaluation for which has entered an advanced phase.

The A310 is smaller than the MCLR but offers better operational economies for short haul operations.

Airbus has predicted that by the year 2014, airlines in India will acquire 275 aircraft worth around $20 billion.

Announcing Airbus results for the year, Rao said the company sold 671 planes worth $44.2 billion.

Of these, 460 were firm orders worth around $30 billion, and 211 were through the letter of intent and memoranda of understanding route.

Boeing has ended the year with 568 orders worth $42.8 billion, according to a company release. Of this, net orders are 502 valued at $39.1 billion.

Airbus added that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is working on a contract to provide 600 aircraft sets worth $50 million.

It has launched the Airbus corporate jetliner, the A340-500 and the A340-600, while continuing work on its 100-seater and A3XX projects.

Apart from the MCLR deal, Airbus sales campaigns in India include the replacement of Indian Airlines 10 ageing A300 aircraft and Alliance Airs 12 737-200. Boeing is offering B767 and B777 to IA and B737 to Alliance Air.