AI-Express to double its fleet to 25 planes by next year

Air India has announced that they are planning to replace the leased planes operated by their budget carrier AI-Express with completely owned fleet.

They are also going to hire more people to expand the reach of the service provided by AI-Express.

Air India chairman and managing director V Thulasidas was quoted as saying to the media personals: “As many as four aircraft will be purchased in 2007 itself to expand the budget flight services.”

As a result AI-Express would be doubling its fleet to 25 aircraft by next year. They are currently operating using 13 planes out of which seven are on lease.

Thulasidas added that Air India would require as many as 1000 pilots in the coming years to meet their expansion plans. They have already signed up a MoU with the Indian Air Force to facilitate hiring of retired IAF pilots.

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