Maharaja returns to drawing board

The decision to start all over came after a meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on August 2. Recording it as the basis, the A-I management has already tasked the techno-economic-cum-negotiating committee to draw up a ‘‘revised’’ fleet plan.

Till now, the exercise was labelled as a ‘‘revisit’’ that may lead to changes in the plan of purchasing 28 aircraft — 18 Boeing 737-800 and 10 Airbus 340-300 approved last year. But this proposal to the AI Board makes it clear the airline will go for a revised fleet plan.

Air-India CMD V. Thulasidas had suggested at the meeting that the present proposal be untouched. While agreeing that the 28 aircraft do not entirely address A-I requirements, he had felt the pending needs could be dealt in a separate proposal as the Board had cleared the existing one.

The Ministry was of the view that the airline must come up with a ‘‘comprehensive plan’’ for the next 10-15 years. Now, the airline will draw up a fleet plan for about six years starting 2006 winter.

The plan will cover all operations including routes to be flown by Air India and Air-India Express. While it targets to have this new plan ready by November-end, the delay is bound to hurt in the long run, sources say.