Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) has submitted an 'expression of interest' to the North Eastern Council for operating passenger services in the region.
NEW DELHI: Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) has submitted an 'expression of interest' to the North Eastern Council for operating passenger services in the region, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.
In response to an advertisement, it offered to use fixed wing aircraft in its expression of interest, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in a reply.
Agreements: Air India has signed an agreement with Boeing for purchase of 68 aircraft for Air India Charters Limited at a cost of Rs 34,615 crore.
Indian Airlines Limited has signed an agreement with Airbus Industrie and CFM International for purchase of 43 Airbus aircraft at a cost of 10,169 crore, Patel said in another reply.
The aircraft acquisition will be financed through external and domestic commercial borrowings, he added.
Pilots: At present, 494 expatriate pilots are working in various scheduled airlines in India, the minister said.
Of them, Air India has 40, Air India Express 54 and Alliance Air 20, he added.
Aircraft: Air India has 13 and Indian Airlines 42 aircraft that are more than 15 years old, Patel said.
"All the aircraft in airlines fleet are maintained at the highest airworthiness standards and meet all requirements of regulatory authorities," he said.
Greenfield airport: The government has given an in-principle approval for setting up a greenfield airport at Navi Mumbai.
This airport, the minister told the House, would operate together with Mumbai's Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airport.
Bill: A draft bill regarding setting up of an airport economic regulator authoriy has been approved by the government for introduction in Parliament shortly, he said.
Modernisation: The estimated cost for development of 35 non-metro airports is about Rs 5,000 crore, Patel said.
The modernisation process for these airports is expected to be completed by March 2010.
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