India, Boeing talk tankers, 787 maintenance unit

Published 10:25 am Monday, January 18, 2010

The Boeing Co. is strengthening its ties with India, agreeing to invest $100 million for a 787 jet maintenance unit it the country.

Boeing is expected to deliver the first 787 to an Indian airline in the second quarter of 2011, the company’s head of sales to India told Reuters.

Between Air India and and Jet Airways, airlines in India have 37 Boeing 787s on order.

Boeing will put in a maintenance, overhaul and repair facility in city of Nagpur, the company said. The facility, which should be operational in a few years, will serve both 787s and 777s.

Boeing’s president of defense business for India also told the publication that India’s defense ministry wants more information on Boeing’s aerial refueling tankers. The country initially picked Airbus’ A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport as it looked to order six aircraft.