Air India has said there would be no voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) as of now in the face of its merger with Indian, nor does it propose to go for A380 super jumbo in the immediate future.
"We already had a VRS...no plans now," Air India Chairman V Tulsidas, who is tipped to become the Chairman of the merged two public sector airlines, said.
Ahead of the merger with Air India, Indian has recently offered a VRS for its cabin crew.
Regarding reports that Air India too going for A380, which had recently come to India for demonstration flights, Tulsidas said, "we have already placed orders for our requirements till 2012."
Air India has ordered 68 aircraft from Boeing for both budget and the regular airlines.
It has placed 18 Boeing 737-800 for its budget airline, Air India Express, and the remaining for operating in various routes, including 23 Boeing 787.
Air India is to take delivery of its first Boeing 777 long-range aircraft next month, which would be utilised for its non-stop operations to the US.
"So the question of buying A380 does not arise now. When we look at the requirement for new aircraft after 2012, all options are open including purchase of A380," Tulsidas said.
Kingfisher is the first airline in the country to order five A380 and the first of these is expected to be delivered by end of this year or early next year.
Kingfisher would be utilising these aircraft for its long-haul operation to the US. Singapore Airlines is the first airlines to get first A380 for its commercial operations to be started in the next few months.
Tulsidas, said that the first flight of merged airlines is expected after completion of the legal process by 15th July and most probably the first flight could be the non-stop flight to New York using the newly-acquired B777-200.
Renowned industrialist Ratan Tata has himself selected the first class seats for the new aircraft which would be exquisite.
Regarding the name of the new merged airlines, Tulsidas said the civil aviation minister has already announced that it would be retained as 'Air India'.
On mascot for the merged airlines, he said Air India's 'Maharaja' would be the automatic choice as Indian does not have a mascot, he said.
On its cargo service, Tulsidas said Air India has already converted two of its A300 aircraft for this purpose and four more would be converted.
There was also proposal to convert three B747-300 jumbo it has but now Air India decides otherwise as it would not be economically viable.
The six B737-200 with Alliance Air is also proposed to be converted for the cargo service.
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Air India Not To Offer Fresh VRS, Nor Buying A380s
