France sees US hand in Boeing deal

ACTION HEATS UP ON DEAL STREET

'India must consider comprehensive factors while purchasing 126 jets'. 

The controversy over Air-India's plans to buy 50 jets worth $6 billion from Boeing has taken a new turn with the French government saying that "some factors other than commercial" had influenced the deal and hoped that its attempt to sell Mirage fighters to the Indian Air Force would not meet with the same fate.

French Ambassador Dominique Girard expressed the hope that India would consider "comprehensive factors" while deciding on the purchase of the 126 jets for the air force, in which French company Mirage would compete.

"We are surprised and disappointed. Airbus definitely has an advantage over Boeing," Girard said here when asked to comment on the recent decision by Air-India to purchase planes from the American company.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said he did not wish to comment on the issue and that the Ministry of External Affairs would look into it and deal with it if required. Air-India's board last week awarded the $6 billion contract for 50 aircraft to Boeing.

This is the first reaction of the French government on the issue, which has snowballed into a major controversy, with Airbus alleging that it did not get a fair deal in the bidding process and Boeing saying it is ready for any probe.

The French ambassador claimed that Boeing would not be able to deliver all 50 planes urgently, a requirement of Air-India, and that Airbus could do it.