Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International) is in advanced talks with Air India (AI, Delhi International) for the possible lease of three B777-200(LR)s as the latter pushes ahead with its cost-cutting measures.
“We have got an offer from Etihad to lease them these aircraft for seven years. We are still evaluating the offer and are in discussions with them (Etihad). A decision will soon be taken in this regard,” an Air India official told India's Financial Express.
Etihad acquired five of Air India's B777-200(LR)s in December last year and has now deployed them on ultra-longhaul flights to Los Angeles International and Dallas/Fort Worth among other destinations. At present, of Air India's three remaining B777-200(LR)s, two are in storage at Mumbai International with VT-ALF (msn 36305) the only one still in operational service.
