Boeing to bring 777-200 for demonstration

Boeing will carry out demonstration flights of Boeing 777-200 LR (long range) aircraft in August as part of its test flight even as the US jet maker is in discussions with Delhi-based Spice Jet for induction of its newest Boeing 737-900X due for commercial launch in 2007.

"The Boeing 777-200 is to carry out demo flights in Delhi on August 3-4 and in Mumbai on August 5 to demonstrate its capability," Dinesh Keskar, vice president (international sales) of Boeing, said today.

The 285-seater aircraft will fly non-stop from Mumbai to San Francisco, which would be of nearly 17 hours duration, he added.

Both Air-India and Jet Airways have choosen the long range aircraft for deployment on the India-US route. While the A-I board has approved 50 Boeings, including five Boeing 777-200 LR, Jet has already signed for 10 aircraft with an option for 10 more at the recent Paris Air Show.

Pakistan International Airlines is the launch customer for 777-200 LR, which is due to enter service by December, Keskar said.