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Airbus Industrie to step up local presence
Our Infrastructue Bureau
MUMBAI, January 13: Airbus Industrie, the European aircraft company, is hopeful of enhancing its presence in India with the addition of new aircraft to suit the requirement of the Indian aviation industry and expansion of its support activities worldwide. The company has offered A 340-300 and A 330-200 for Air India's plans to induct medium-capacity long range aircraft.It has also suggested the addition of A310 in A-I's fleet. In 1997, Airbus launched A340-500 and A340-600 and a Corporate Jetliner. According to Airbus Industrie president (India) Kiran Rao, while the company gives sufficient options to airlines to meet their requirements, it also has the advantage of common features in its range. The commonality aspect gives airline more flexibility in operations and is also more economical, he said, adding that since Air India already has eight A310 aircraft, it is rational to add similar aircraft on these routes.Briefing newspersons on Tuesday about Airbus Industrie's performance during 1997, Rao said
the company made a record increase in aircraft deliveries to 182 aircraft during 1997 compared to 126 deliveries made during the previous year. During the year, the company received orders for 460 aircraft and 211 letters of intent and memorandum of understanding. "The A330/A340 outsold the combined 777-200,-300 and MD-11 family in 1997," said Rao. The company holds more than 50 per cent marketshare Rao said. "Even by the conservative estimated we want to retain our worldwide marketshare at more than 50 per cent by the turn of the century," he added. The company's orderbook has a backlog of 1,009 aircraft.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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