US aircraft maker Boeing Inc will soon start talks with Indian carriers to market its latest aircraft, the '7E7', which is due for launch in 2008, as it strives to cash in on the fast-growing Asian aviation market.
Unveiling the company's strategy for the 200-300 seater aircraft, Boeing senior vice president (sales) Dinesh Keskar said on Wednesday that the new aircraft would be positioned as a replacement for the Boeing '757' and '767' as well as Airbus A310 and A330 aircraft.
"We are planning to show it to all the airlines. Not only Air-India and Indian Airlines, but also Jet Airways and Air Sahara. But, these will be very preliminary talks," Keskar said at a press conference.
Deliveries and commercial flight of the '7E7' is expected to start in 2008. It would be available in three types -- the 200-seater '7E7', 300-seater 7E7 SR and 250-seater '7E7 Stretch'.
Keskar claimed the new aircraft was 20 per cent more fuel efficient and could carry 40-60 per cent more cargo than those produced by Airbus.
Boeing's 18 737-800 aircraft were selected by Air-India in November 2003 as part of a 28-aircraft acquisition deal worth over Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion).
It was, however, left out of an earlier Indian Airlines board decision, which recommended purchase of 43 Airbus aircraft for over Rs 10,000 crore.
Boeing estimates that 24,276 aircraft would be sold globally during 2003-2022, of which single-aisle type aircraft would comprise the majority 12,847 units while the '767' and '7E7' size aircraft of 200-300 passenger carrying capacity would be at about 3,500 units.
About 4,303 aircraft would comprise 50-70 seater regional jets like ATRs and Bombardiers, 2,644 of about 300-seater Boeing '777' size while the remaining 889 would come from the over 400-seater 'Boeing 747' and larger aircraft.
Keskar said the '7E7' would be the first commercial aircraft in the world to be manufactured with composite materials like carbon and fiberglass besides alumunium.
Also, the aircraft provides comfort through lower altitude pressure, less humidity, better lighting, large windows and overhead bins.
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