India's booming civil aviation market is set to make Paris the show of surprises. Following a mass of orders yesterday it looks like low-cost start-up Kingfisher Airlines will be announcing the purchase of Airbus A380s.
There were plenty of orders dished up yesterday with Jet Airways ordering A330s and Boeing 777s and another newcomer, Paramount Airways, taking Embraer 170 and 175s.
But the most startling move is that of Kingfisher, which only began revenue service in early May, flying A320s on domestic routes. The carrier, owned by Indian brewing and liquor giant UB Group, will unveil a mammoth widebodied aircraft order today as it seeks to take advantage of a rapidly deregulating international marketplace.
Privately owned Jet Airways kicked off the Indian order bonanza - which sources say could be far from over here at Paris - yesterday by announcing it will buy 10 A330s worth $3.3 billion and 10 777s and 10 Next Generation 737s for a total of $2.8 billion.
The carrier will take delivery of its new A330s in early 2007, although it will become the first Indian operator of the type in May next year when it starts taking four A330s on lease from ILFC.
It recently began international flights between London and Mumbai with leased A340-300s but is planning a fast ramp-up of overseas services with the A330s and 777s. It will receive its 777s from late 2006 to operate non-stop flights between India and the US, making it the first Indian carrier to offer such a service.
Jet intends to take six ultra-long range 777-200LRs and four 777-300ERs, and has a further 10 777 options and 10 A330 options. The new 737s - it already operates 36 of various variants - will be delivered early next year.
Not to be left out of the Indian spending spree, Embraer unveiled a preliminary deal with start-up Paramount Airways to become its first customer for the 170/175 family in the country.
Source: Flight Daily News
