Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) National carrier Air India will welcome passengers on its first state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner when the aircraft joins its fleet by the year-end — with warm and welcoming interiors coupled with comfortable seating and entertainment systems.

“The aircraft will have beautifully designed and decorated interiors with warm colours which will welcome our passengers,” Air India general manager engineering and quality B.S. Baliga told IANS on board the 787 aircraft.

According to Baliga, the Air India’s 787 will be equipped with best in-class seats for its 256 passengers.

“We have contracted the world’s best seat manufacturers for our business and executive class seats, including Contour Aerospace Limited and Weber Aircraft,” he said.

While Contour Aerospace Limited will equip the 18 business class seats, Weber would provide the remaining 238 seats for the executive class section.

Air India had booked 27 Boeing 787s in 2006 in a mega deal for 68 aircraft from Boeing. Of these, 50 were for its own fleet and 18 for its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express that flies on short-haul international routes.

The Indian flag carrier will only be the second airline in the world to get the 787 which is currently considered to be one of the most anticipated and state-of-the-art airplanes in the world.

The Boeing 787 aircraft is made of composite materials. Its newly-developed engine and advanced flight technologies make it highly fuel-efficient. The plane can fly up to 16,000 km non-stop.

Air India would be the first carrier in the world whose Boeing 787 aircraft will be fitted with a General Electric engine which saves up to 15 percent on fuel consumption.

The aircraft comes with a slew of advanced technologies which reduce noise and emission during all phases of flight, including take-off, cruise and landing.

The much talked aircraft is on its maiden visit to India, and landed in the national capital Wednesday.

“This plane is made out of composite materials and has the most advanced aerodynamic design. Coupled with the latest avionics, it provides 20 percent savings on fuel costs and has low maintenance,” Dinesh Keskar, president of Boeing India, told IANS in the aircraft’s cockpit.

Air India is scheduled to get its first 787 Dreamliner by 2011-end. The Indian national carrier will conduct three trial runs in the next two days.

Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, along with senior officials, is expected to inspect the aircraft Thursday.