Jet may buy Boeing 747-8

Private airline Jet Airways (India) Ltd is in talks with the US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company for acquiring 450-seater, yet-to-be-launched 747-8 intercontinental aircraft for its proposed non-stop US service.

A senior Jet Airways executive confirmed that the airline is evaluating the feasibility of inducting Boeing 747-8 aircraft for its US service, which will start by the end of this year or early next year. However, the delivery of the aircraft will begin only by 2009.

The executive declined to comment on the number or cost of aircraft the airline is planning to acquire adding "we are still evaluating internally and talking with Boeing for inducting 747-8 for long haul service. Nothing has been finalised yet".

Industry sources said the listed price of 747-8 aircraft could range between $250 million and $265 million. "Jet Airways will replace its old aircraft with the 747-8 series for its long haul service. This will give the airline greater fuel efficiency and improved operating economics with reduced noise and emissions," they added.

Recently, Japan-based Nippon Cargo Airlines and Luxembourg-based Cargolux placed 18 firm orders with Boeing for acquiring ten 747-8 freighters for $5 billion at the listed prices.

Commenting on the proposed US service, the Jet Airways executive said the airline has submitted necessary documents to the Indian government, which, in turn, apprised the US Department of Transportation.

"We are expecting a clearance soon and may start the service by 2006-end or early 2007. Initially, we will be inducting Boeing 777 for this long service," he said.

He added the airline is also evaluating the possibility of inducting other aircraft such as B 777-200 LR, B 787 and even the Airbus family aircraft.

The industry sources said Jet Airways will deploy the Airbus family aircraft for south-east destinations, while Boeing long haul aircraft would be deployed in other routes such as the US and the UK.

Jet Airways has firmed up its plans to start services to Thailand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Rome and some other destinations.

Marking the largest deal in the history of the domestic civil aviation industry, Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways had acquired Lucknow-based Air Sahara for $500 million in an all-cash deal in January.