GoAir to take four A320s on lease

Continuing its dominance in the Indian domestic market, Airbus on Wednesday announced that the Bombay Dyeing promoted GoAirline has signed a deal for taking four Airbus A320 aircraft on lease and is likely to sign a deal for purchase of up to 20 aircraft by the yearend.

The new low-cost carrier plans to start services from October, signed an agreement with a leasing company GATX Air for four aircraft, Airbus senior vice-president Nigel Harwood told reporters in Mumbai.

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He said by December GoAir is looking at purchasing 20 A320s, to seat 180 passengers, even as another LCC, Magic Air, promoted by Delhi-based Nira Radia is in discussions for taking up to 10 similar aircraft on lease.

Airbus vice-president (marketing) Kiran Rao said many of the private airlines have also evinced interest in the A321, which could seat up to 210 passengers.

Asked about Airbus questioning the "integrity" of the Air-India board on the decision to go in for 50 Boeing jets,

Harwood said, "A-I is a major and respected customer and part of the Airbus family and we have spoken to them".

Though the airline has gone in favour of Boeing, Airbus is to make a presentation to A-I on the yet to be launched

A350 and the double-decker A380, which is undergoing flight trials and due for commercial debut in 2007.

Rao said some foreign airlines, including Lufthansa, have indicated their willingness to operate A380 flights to India. Airports Authority of India would make special bays for parking of the jumbo.