NEW DELHI, Aug 14- Air India has begun the process of acquiring 19 new Airbus A320s in a bid to face heightened competition from no-frill carriers and replace its old fleet, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
The national carrier has sought to dry lease these planes for six years instead of buying them as part of its Turnaround and Financial Restructuring Plans, airline sources said.
All new 19 aircraft will be equipped with sharklets and have an all-economy configuration, they said.
Air India has invited global technical and financial bids for dry leasing the new planes with technical bids to be opened in September.
At present, Air India has 18 A320s of which 12 are owned and six leased, 24 A319s (19 owned and five leased) and own 20 A321 planes in its fleet.
Sources said delivery of the new A320 aircraft would most likely begin in the fourth quarter of the year.
The decision to lease the planes came amid strong indications of a growth in competition from no-frill carriers and the entry of AirAsia India in the domestic market.
– BERNAMA
