Aviation

Air India inducts brand new Boeing 777 for VVIP purposes

Air India celebrates the induction of its latest Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, which will be one of the two new planes to be used for VVIP purposes. The new aircraft is among the last three Boeing 777 aircraft remaining from an order of 68 Boeing aircraft placed by the Air India in 2006.

The plane took off from Everett in Washington at 12 pm local time and landed in Delhi at 7.31 pm, completing its journey in a record 14 hours and 10 minutes. The Reverse Pacific westbound flight from Seattle to Delhi took a shorter route over Northern Russia to reach the destination in record time.

Air India has tied up with UAE-based First Abu Dhabi Bank as well as Standard Chartered Bank and Mashreq Bank to avail short-term loans for acquiring three Boeing 777 aircraft. Air India has signed a short-term buyers credit facility agreement with First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC jointly with Standard Chartered Bank and Mashreq Bank PSC for acquisition of three B777-300ER aircraft.

Air India placed orders with Boeing for 68 aircraft 27 Dreamliners, 15 B777-300 ERs, eight B777-200 LRs and 18 B737-800s in 2006. Of these, the carrier has already taken delivery of 65 planes, including 13 B777-300ERs.