Figures show that India is ordering new aircraft at an unprecedented level. At the present time some 12 carriers have 508 aircraft committed from Airbus, ATR, Boeing and Embraer. The Jet Airways takeover of Air Sahara has made no difference as the Mumbai-based carrier is continuing with an existing order for ten Boeing 737-800s.
With Air Deccan holding a pledge for no less than 62 A320s, Airbus holds sway, but the Boeing order book is far from thin as AI Express, a recent low cost international division of Air India, holds orders for 23 Boeing 777s and 27 Boeing 787s.
Currently 100% government-owned, Air India is due to merge with Indian Airlines, also state controlled.
The colourfully painted Kingfisher aircraft, part of the brewery group of the same name, has taken the bold step of ordering five Airbus A380s, and gambling that it will be allowed to fly international routes well before the first aircraft is delivered.
It also has on order five of each of A330s, A340-500s and A350s. Other interesting orders include Paramount Airways, new in September 2005 with 15 Embraer 170 series aircraft on order. Indigo Airlines is another very fresh carrier with its operations started last August - it has on order from Airbus more than 90 A320 series units.