Alliance Air plans to fly 70-seater jets from April

Alliance Air, the wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines, is planning to fly 70-seater regional jets from April 2007. Currently, the airline operates bigger aircraft such as Boeing and ATR.

The Canada-based Bombardier and Brazilian Embraer are leading manufacturers of 70-seaters.

Currently, Bombardier jets are used by Air Sahara while Embraer types are used by south-based airline Paramount Airways.

According to sources, these jets will be domestic budget carrier wing of the merged entity formed after the merger of Air-India and Indian Airlines.

When contacted, a senior Indian Airlines executive said, "Certainly, the cost structure of the jets will be competitive. Alliance Air has already floated tenders for 70-seater aircraft".

The regional jets will be deployed in the point-to-point routes connecting Delhi from Pune, Kolkata and Guwahati.

Alliance Air is planning to lease six such jets, on dry lease basis, for a period of five to seven years.

It has also invited bids for 20 pilots to fly regional jets aircraft in India along with the bid for aircraft.

In addition, Alliance Air said that the bidders can submit offers for 20 licensed aircraft maintenance engineers in various categories of airframe, engines and avionics for maintenance and certification of the offered regional jets. Sources said the regional jet are faster compared to turboprop jet ATRs.

"This can be deployed on long-haul routes as well short routes," they added. The airline has also expressed interest in flying ATR 42-320 or ATR 42-500 aircraft.