Major aircraft-maker Boeing on Tuesday heightened its pitch for Air-India's plans to acquire 17 long-haul and 18 short-haul planes, claiming its 777-200 ERs (extended range) and 737-800s were best suited for the Indian carrier.

Quoting the example of Singapore Airlines grounding its "entire Airbus fleet" and operating over 50 Boeing 777s and 747s, its senior vice president (sales) Dinesh Keskar said A-I would benefit greatly if it decided to acquire the two Boeing series planes as part of its plans to induct 17 medium capacity, long range and 18 small capacity, short range aircraft.

Replying to questions, he told reporters in New Delhi that Boeing had offered to buy back five 15-year old B-747 aircraft of A-I if the airline decided to acquire a Boeing fleet.

He said a similar buy-back offer had also been made in 1985-86 to the Indian Airlines' subsidiary Alliance Air for its three B 737-200 aircraft on the same condition.

On the B-777 200 ERs, he said though this aircraft was $19 million more expensive than its competitor - Airbus-340 300, "A-I will have 31 additional seats and four tonnes of extra cargo more than its rival."

He claimed the Boeing aircraft had a better revenue-generating capacity than the Airbus plane as it burnt less fuel, had lower maintenance cost, was twin-engined compared with four of the Airbus and had faster climb ability.

These factors, Keskar claimed, would allow A-I to earn Rs 250 crore (Rs 2.50 billion) more per year on a fleet of 17 Boeing 777-200 ERs compared with an A-340 300 fleet.