India to develop 90-100 seat aircraft
Indian Government announced the establishment of a 15-member committee on National Civil Aircraft Development, with former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), G Madhavan Nair, appointed as Chairman (Press Trust of India, 07-May-2010). The committee is seeking to develop a 90-100 seat aircraft, for which a feasibility study will be carried out, including market demand for the aircraft over the next 10-20 years. The project is expected to cost USD1.1 billion and be completed in five years. The project will be developed under public-private partnership. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-NAL will assist with the project. A design group for the aircraft will include representatives from CSIR-NAL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Aeronautic Development Authority, Defence Research and Development Organisation and ISRO.
National Civil Aircraft Development committee: "The country needs its own civil aircraft and the Government has recognised this. Today was just a brainstorming session. We have decided to bring out a feasibility report within a year of the type of aircraft we require, the infrastructure, the development cycle, funds and partners. We are trying to look for a good PPP. We will try to do all that can be done in the country. We have made rockets, we have spacecraft. The next is to make an aircraft," G Madhavan Nair, Chairman. Source: Press Trust of India, 07-May-2010.