Air India pins hopes on Boeing's Dreamliner

New Delhi: Boeing's answer to Airbus A 380, the brand new Dreamliner 787 finally lands in Japan on a test flight after a delay of three years. The same aircraft is expected to keep its date with Delhi on July 13.

The Dreamliner is touted as a super fuel-efficient airplane that can carry upto 290 passengers and fly 15,750 kilometers at a stretch.

Air India will receive its first in October and already plans are afoot to operate on on the Delhi-Mumbai-Melbourne route. Air India which has ordered 27 of them, has sought compensation from the US manufacturer for their delayed deliveries.

The Boeing Dreamliner will save millions of dollars in fuel and maintenance, hopes the AI management.

Executive Vice President, Boeing James Albaugh said, "While we apologise for being late, we hope when you fly this airplane and see its capabilities, you'll forgive us."

Apart from Air India, Jet Airways has also placed orders for the B 787-8 version, which would enable them mount direct non- stop flights to North America or Australia. Air India placed the order in 2005 and will get its first aircraft in in October this year, followed by two in November and one more in December.

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