India’s Jet Airways says it is evaluating the Boeing 747-8 and 787 for its long haul services, as it expresses confidence that it will be finally able to launch US services by the end of the year.
“We are talking to Boeing about the 747-8 for on our long haul network,” says Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal. The Airbus A380 is also being evaluated but Goyal believes the 550-seater is “too big” for its current requirements. “We are also talking to Boeing about the 787,” he adds.
Boeing said at last month’s Asian Aerospace show in Singapore that it was in dialogue with Jet Airways and Air India about the 450-seat 747-8 but would not disclose the quantities being discussed.
Jet Airways’ long haul network consists of just one destination so far – London Heathrow – which is serves twice daily using a fleet of three A340-300s.
The launch of US services has been held up by delays in approval but Goyal is confident these hurdles will soon be cleared: “The US government has sent some questions to the Indian government which it is answering. We should be able to launch services by the end of the year if we can get aircraft, if not it will be next year.”
Jet Airways is India’s largest independent airline and recently acquired local rival Air Sahara. Its initial US services will be to New York Newark, operated via Brussels. Goyal says that a Chicago service is also being planned.
The Boeing 737 forms the backbone of the airline’s fleet which it uses for its large Indian domestic market and some short international services. Plans are in place to grow the airline’s widebody fleet beyond the three A340s through leases and direct orders. An A330 will arrive on lease from International Lease Finance late this year to replace Boeing 737s on the airline’s Singapore services, and orders are held for ten more of the type as well as ten 777-300ERs.
Goyal says that other long haul destinations being planned include Hong Kong, Milan, Rome and Zurich, as well as points in Kenya and South Africa. A service to Bangkok is also planned.
Boeing has released a new artist's impression of the passenger version of the 747-8 Intercontinental (pictured below).
Source: Flight International
