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: The phenomenal growth in the Indian aviation market has made the market-savvy US aircraft manufacturer, The Boeing Company, reinforce its commitment to the market here with a vengeance. Last December, it delivered the first of 18 Next-Generation 737-800s to Air-India Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. The delivery marked the first airplane delivered to Air India following the airline’s order for 68 Boeing jetliners, the largest commercial airplane order in India’s civil aviation history. The order, placed in December 2005, is valued at more than $11 billion at list prices.

“Our commitment to Air India and the Indian aviation industry dates back more than 60 years, and we continue to strengthen that relationship over time,” says Dinesh Keskar, senior Vice-President of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Air India’s order comprises twenty-seven 787-8 Dreamliners, eight 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliners and fifteen 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes.

There are eighteen 737-800s for Air-India Express. That’s not all. Jet Airways will acquire ten Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled for between July 2011 and December 2012. They will be used for Jet’s international operations. The 787-8 Dreamliner can carry 210-250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles (14,168 to 15,186 kilometres). The 787 Dreamliner will offer unmatched fuel efficiency and flexibility for both regional and long-haul operations, and will provide passengers the most comfortable air-travel experience thanks to its unique cabin environment featuring a more spacious interior, bigger windows and higher humidity.

Even otherwise, Boeing appears assured of topping rival Airbus in aircraft orders for the first time since 2000. It booked 1,044 net commercial aircraft orders in 2006, paced by a record 729 net orders for 737s, surpassing its 2005 record of 1,002 total orders. The company delivered 398 commercial planes for the year, a 37% boost over 2005 and its highest total since 2001, led by three-hundred and two 737 deliveries. “2006 was another outstanding year for our customers and for Boeing,” says Keskar. “The strong orders for the past two years are a validation of our strategy of focusing on our customers, simplifying our product and services offerings and transforming our production system. “We’re bringing the right products and services to the market at the right time,” he adds.