‘Dreamliner will be a very powerful tool in the fleets of Air India and Jet Airways’

SP’s ShowNews (SP’s): What are the plans for delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Indian customers?

Dinesh Keskar (Keskar): To demonstrate the readiness of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Air India, we are bringing the Dreamliner to India Aviation 2012 at Hyderabad in full Air India livery, interior, and IFE. We have completed all the flight tests for the GEnX powered 787 Dreamliner.

The initial Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery to Air India is planned for the second quarter of 2012. The deliveries of the 787 to Jet Airways are scheduled to begin in 2014.

We believe that the 787 Dreamliner will be a very powerful tool in the fleets of Air India and Jet Airways and will provide them with the flexibility they will need to implement their network and fleet plans.

SP’s: What specific reforms would you recommend to the government in respect of the policy to revitalise the Indian airline industry?

Keskar: Boeing has been working with many stakeholders in India for seven decades. Airlines in India such as Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, and Blue Dart have ordered or operated Boeing airplanes like the Boeing 707, 747, 757, 737, 777, and the 787 Dreamliners. The Indian Air Force has also chosen the Boeing BBJ for their VVIP operations for the President and the Prime Minister of India and other VVIPs. Liberalisation in India started in the 1990s by the then Finance Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. India has continued the path of liberalisation, thereby making itself part of the BRIC nations. All this is helping all companies, including Boeing, to conduct business in India. The new relationship between the Government of India and the United States is also opening the defence markets.

SP’s: What steps has Boeing taken in respect of technological innovations to meet the growing environmental concerns?

Keskar: Boeing recognises the serious challenges facing our environment and is committed to improving the environmental performance of our products, services and operations. Boeing’s greatest contribution to meeting these challenges is to pioneer new technologies and to design, develop, and build our products in an environmentally progressive manner.

As a leader in the industry, Boeing Commercial Airplanes continues to invest a significant amount of its R&D towards advanced technologies that directly benefits the environment. From helping to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using sustainable biofuels and other renewable energy sources to incorporating new technologies to reduce noise and emissions and increasing the efficiency of the air traffic control systems, Boeing is continuously working to help reduce the industry’s environmental footprint.

In India, Boeing is actively participating in initiatives to explore how airlines can reduce their impact on the environment and is also working with leading scientific and academic communities on initiatives to look at all renewable fuel sources that can help reduce carbon emissions.

SP’s: Do you foresee serious challenge from the new players emerging on the scene in the regional aircraft market in India as well as globally?

Keskar: We will focus on our product line to meet the requirements of our airline customers and their passengers. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the continuous improvements we are making in the Boeing 737 such as the Boeing Sky Interior are excellent examples of this.