The US aircraft manufacturer has already agreed to create a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Nagpur as part of its India commitments following the Air India order, besides set up a pilot training programme by funding some existing flying schools.
"The biggest piece is our commitment to India of $1.7 billion as part of this deal where we will buy goods and services from companies in India," Boeing's Senior Vice President (Sales) Dinesh Keskar told reporters yesterday.
"It is going to create a lot of potential jobs in India and at the same time transfer technology. We are working with quality companies in India like Infosys,
Wipro, Satyam, HCL and we are also continuing to work with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited," he said.
As Boeing rolled out its new B-787 'Dreamliner', the company's first new model in 13 years, Air India said it had chosen the aircraft as its work-horse keeping in mind concerns of economics and environment.
"We didn't actually chose Boeing as such. We chose the aircraft," Air India Chairman and Managing Director V Thulasidas said. The B-787 made "better business sense" and the choice of engines was "actually a major step" in increasing fuel efficiency and savings, besides making flying eco-friendly.
Air India's order consists of 23 777s, including eight 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliners and 15 777-300ERs (Extended Range), and 27 787-8 Dreamliners. Air India Express, will receive 18 next generation 737-800s.
