‘We Are In Talks With Air Deccan For Aircraft Acquisition’

Dr Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president - sales commercial airplanes, Boeing, unspools to Bhisham Mansukhani his vision for India’s era of modern aviation and Boeing's contribution to its future

Where do you see Indian aviation's sudden promise of growth, headed?

The Indian aviation scenario has off late witnessed many positives simultaneously. Both the national and domestic flag carriers are getting internationally competitive with fleet modernisation plans. The process of redeveloping airport infrastructure has begun in earnest and the domestic low cost phenomenon is about to take off. The essential type of market that we perceive within India is the domestic market that grew by over 20 per cent in 2004. Jet Airways has done a great job with the next generation 737 airplane and now we have Spicejet as our first low cost carrier client. They have taken on the 737-800, ideally suited to their requirements. The Air-India Express has also taken on the 737-800 with an all economy configuration.

As domestic airlines are keying up for international flights, it presents an opportunity as well as a challenge in the near term, as our wide bodied 777 is just not available. Hence Jet Airways had to use the A340. The 777 long-range aircraft will be in big demand for airlines out of India that will fly non-stop to the US and Continental Airlines also will soon be flying direct from Newark into New Delhi. They are using the 777-200 ER for this segment. With fuel prices going through the roof, threatening to go as high as US$ 100 in the long-term, we are working on fuel-efficient models, like the 787. We are also replacing the older 747-100 and 747-200 aircraft with 777-300 ER. It will have two engines on board and lower fuel and maintenance cost. We see the Indian market from a 20-year perspective to be valued at US$ 35 billion, the aircraft models in demand being the 737, 787, 777 and the 747.

What is Boeing doing to make long haul flight more comfortable for passengers?

One instance of Boeing's initiative in this direction manifests itself with regards the 787. Its fuselage is built from composites, which allow for the injection of humidity and water vapour into the airplane's ambient air. This in turn enhances the health of passengers flying for several hours at a time.

Are you concerned about how the aviation market may be impacted by the introduction of the Airbus' A380 in 2006?

Our philosophy in that context remains the same. Time will tell who is going to win. The potential for direct flights on point routes is much more when deploying smaller aircraft as yield. The capacity of the A380 is over 550. If we were to assume that the 747 hadn't existed, suddenly, there is no aircraft type available with a capacity between 550 and 360. The advanced 747 with a capacity of 450 that Boeing is presently working on, will fill that void. The international airline community has received the 787 warmly -- it has a confirmed order book of 203 already.

Are there any plans to put out an aircraft, which will fly at Mach speed akin the now grounded Concorde?

9/11 killed off a lot of hopes and dreams that were being fostered within the aviation industry. Prior to 9/11, airlines wanted aircraft that cost the same but travelled faster. Post 9/11, the same airlines told us they wanted aircraft that travelled at the same speeds for less and incurred lower operating costs.

How beneficial is your in-flight Internet access product Connexion to both airlines and passengers?

Connexion is a key product differentiator. Business travellers need to stay connected and more so when they are travelling. The lack of access during flight had been hurting them considerably until now. With Connexion, airlines will be able to earn a premium both in terms of revenue and also become the preferred choice of business travellers.

Are there any more domestic airlines that are looking to acquire Boeing aircraft?

There are five more low cost airlines that are yet to start operations and who are talking to us regarding aircraft acquisition apart from Air Deccan and Spicejet.

What do you make of Airbus' latest project, the A350, which is positioned to compete with the 787?

It is an unequivocal indication of Airbus's concern about just how well the 787 has been received. In fact, it has used the Gen X and Trent 1000 engines for the A350. The same engines have already been developed for Boeing aircraft. Now, what about their theory of two engines for short haul aircraft and four for long haul? Airbus is contradicting its own theory.