As part of its continuing growth plan, Air-India has floated global tenders to take on lease three Airbus A340-300s and one more Boeing 747-400 for extending operations to the United States even as it has received approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry for hiring foreign pilots on temporary basis.

This is the first time that the airline has floated global tenders for A340-300 aircraft, AI sources said in New Delhi on Monday.

The four aircraft, which are due next year, are to be used for operations to the US West Coast, sources said. The airline will have a total of 20 aircraft (11 A310s and six 747-400) on lease by April end, one more than its own fleet strength of 19 aircraft (six A310s, eight 747-400, three 747-300 and two 747-200).

A-I is to launch thrice a week Boeing flights via Frankfurt to Los Angeles from June 11, increase it to five from December and have a daily service from April. It had signed an agreement early this month for taking two 747-400s on lease.

The Airbus aircraft are to be deployed for San Francisco from April next year. The 290-seater aircraft are being taken on lease for three years extendable for five years.

The A-I board had early last year approved acquisition of 10 Airbus and 18 Boeing 737-800s, worth over Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion), and the proposal was forwarded to government late last year.

Although it is taking necessary steps to meet shortage of commanders, the airline has received approval from the civil aviation ministry for taking 10-15 foreign pilots (commanders) for a one-year period, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Public Selection Enterprises Board has decided to abolish the post of deputy managing directors and has invited applications for appointment of four functional directors. The last date is June 6.

The new directors would be from engineering, commercial, finance and personnel departments, the sources said, adding that this would be applicable to Indian Airlines also.