AI to go ahead with Dreamliner purchase

State-run Air India (AI) will push ahead with its purchase of 27 of Boeing Co’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft, India’s Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said on Tuesday, despite a heavy debt burden and a long-running dispute with the planemaker. Air India, which has debts of $4 billion, is running on taxpayer life support and is yet to receive any planes from a $6 billion order for as many as 50 long-range jets from Boeing placed in 2005. “It is a good plan for Air India,” said Ajit Singh, confirming that the Dreamliner order still stands. India’s flagship-carrier has been hit by high fuel costs and cut-throat competition that has beset the country’s aviation industry.