Air India issues tender to sell three wide-body aircraft

Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has issued a tender to sell its three Boeing B777-200LR wide-bodied aircraft, which were manufactured in 2009, even as it is in talks with Airbus and Boeing to place a sizeable aircraft order. The tender said that the bids for three wide-bodied aircraft, powered by GE90-110 engines, have to be submitted by August 16. Wide-bodied aircraft have bigger fuel tanks that allows them to travel on long-haul international routes, like between India and the US. Air India currently has a fleet of 128 aircraft, including the three B777-200LR planes. The home ministry has given security clearance to Air India chief executive-designate Campbell Wilson, paving the way for him to take charge of the airline which the Tatas took over on January 27. The appointment of Wilson as the chief executive officer and managing director of Air India was announced on May 12.See also: Telangana on track to set up aviation UniversityGMR Aviation Academy signs MoU with NFSU