Air India today said they have no plans to ground the Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet as they were serving the airline well and there were no safety issues.

Both DGCA and Boeing have also assured that there are no safety issues, Rohit Nandan, Chairman and Managing Director of Air India, said.

Addressing a press conference at India Aviation 2014, he said the functioning and performance of Dreamliners was being jointly monitored by a committee and Boeing and the final report would be placed after 18 months of their use.

Various issues relating to its supplies and functioning would be analysed during the 18-month ending in October.

There have been some snags which are common to induction of new aircraft and these are getting addressed. Boeing has also upgraded software for aircraft delivered before 2013 December.

The Air India chief said from now additions to its fleet would be made by way of leasing as this does not require Government approval.

The airliner is looking at replacing its ageing fleet, particularly ATRs and A320s. Nine ATRs and 18-19 A320s have run their course needing replacement, he said.

To be deployed on Singapore-Delhi route

Singapore, Mar 12: Air India today said it will ply the Dreamliner on the Singapore-Delhi-Singapore route from March 20, more than doubling the passenger capacity.

The Dreamliner’s introduction on the daily Singapore route is on popular demand, said Nirbhik Narang, Air India’s country manager in Singapore.

Air India is upgrading the service with the double-aisle Dreamliner and increasing passenger capacity by two-and-a-half times from the over 100 passengers on the single-aisle Airbus 319 currently, Narang told PTI.

The Dreamliner will carry 18 business class passengers and 238 economy class passengers, besides more cargo and baggage carrying capacity, he said.

Rated as the world’s most advanced commercial aircraft, the wide-bodied Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s special features include large dimmable windows, smoother rides, expansive and quieter cabins, and lie-flat beds.

Air India, one of the first airlines in the world to procure these aircraft, is already flying to various destinations including London, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne. — PTI

Related Topics