Air India seeks compensation from Boeing over Dreamliner delays

Air India seeks compensation from Boeing over Dreamliner delays Air India said over the weekend it wants compensation from Boeing over delays in production of the 787 Dreamliner.
   According to press reports, India’s state-run national carrier is also considering leasing 10 to 15 planes to account for the delays.
   “We are in talks for compensation and Boeing is willing to give us the compensation,” V. Thulasidas, chairman and managing director of National Aviation Co, which runs Air India, was quoted by Reuters. “Due to Boeing 787 delays and phasing out of older aircraft, we are looking at 10 to 15 aircraft for leasing.”
   Air India had originally been scheduled to start receiving Boeing’s new plane between September and December of this year, but that was pushed back until February 2009. The further delays will push the delivery dates beyond February, hurting Air India’s plans to replace its aging fleet, consolidate its fleet with domestic carrier Indian Airlines and compete with private carriers Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines — both of which have embarked on major fleet expansions themselves. Kingfisher, for instance, has 130 planes on order over the next decade and relies solely on Boeing rival Airbus.