AIR INDIA

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The Air India Jet Project will provide a loan to Air India, the Indian-flag carrier on world routes. The project includes the purchase of three jets powered by 12 original engines; radio, galley, and other aircraft auxiliaries; 9 spare engines; other initial spares and stores; some overhaul facilities, a test cell and other special equipment; and a flight simulator. Air India needs more aircraft to cope with growing traffic, and might fail to hold its share of the business unless it acquires jets. For these reasons, Air India has just ordered for early 1960 delivery, three Boeing 707 jets of the 420 model which will be powered by four Rolls-Royce Conway engines each. These three planes have the same service potential, roughly 60 million capacity ton miles a year, as ten Super-Constellations. Air India will have sufficient equipment by 1960/61 for flying 120 million capacity ton miles a year compared with 42 million actually flown in 2956/57.