India encore likely at Paris Air Show

Govt to buy simulators; Kingfisher may place large orders for aircraft.

India, the second fastest-growing aviation market in the world after China, will be among the most prominent countries at the 47th International Paris Air Show that begins tomorrow.

Besides IT companies exhibiting their strength, the Paris Air Show would witness the Indian government shopping for simulators to train pilots. The ministry of civil aviation may announce its international partner for the upcoming flying training institute.

"We are planning to buy some simulators for flying training schools. An announcement in this regard would be made during the Paris Air Show," said Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

The 47th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, between June 18 and 24, will welcome almost 2,000 exhibitors, prime contractors, equipment manufacturers and SMEs involved in state-of-the-art technology used in the manufacture and assembly of aircraft, satellites, aircraft engines, aerospace power plants and related equipment as well as mechanical engineering and metallurgy subcontracting, surface treatment and composite materials.

State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will make its presence felt at the air extravaganza with its light combat aircraft Tejas.

"Tejas, which had earlier performed at the Bangalore Air Show in February 2007, will be the first Indian fighter jet to fly in the foreign skies," sources said.

The Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines is also expected to place orders for wide-bodied Airbus aircraft worth more than $3 billion.

"Kingfisher Airlines is planning to realign the order book, post-Air Deccan acquisition. Kingfisher may ask for a reschedule of some of its aircraft delivery for Air Deccan and place orders for more wide-bodied aircraft as a part of fleet rationalisation," Kingfisher sources said.

Sources also said other airlines were planning to place orders for engines at the Paris show, where almost 30 key prime contractors, including Airbus, EADS, Dassault Aviation, Eurocopter, Boeing and Finmeccanica, will be present.