Air India announced Tuesday a $6 billion order for 50 new Boeing planes, including eight 777-300 long-haul jetliners, 15 737-200 medium range aircraft and 27 787s, Boeing’s newest jet, the Dreamliner.
The announcement came one day after Air Canada announced a $ 5 billion order, saying it would purchase 18 Boeing 777 jets and 14 787 Dreamliner jets, with options to buy a additional18 777 jets and 46 787s, as part of their fleet overhaul plan.
These large purchase orders is a major boost for Boeing, which had been struggling to meet its 787 sales targets and is a blow for European planemaker Airbus.
Senior US and European government leaders had lobbied heavily for Boing and rival Airbus, respectively, in the last few weeks. Air India spokesman said their board had reviewed purchase proposals from both before making a decision.
Its not surprising that U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said in his visit to New Delhi last week that relations between the United States and India would benefit if Boeing gets the order.
