Chennai: The country's national carrier, Indian Airlines (IA), proposes a major seat expansion over the next five years, involving a staggering Rs 9,000 crore.

The expansion included acquiring 43 aircraft of different sizes and doubling its fleet of about 40, it was stated at a visual presentation by IA for journalists, the corporate sector and Airline officials, among others, on June 28 night.

Claiming that its on-time performance was 95 per cent for metros and 85 for other destinations, IA said that the winds of change in the national and global scenario had brought out the best in it. "From a bureaucratic monopoly, IA is now a market oriented airline," it was stated.

The 50-year old airline, which had nurtured and built up infrastructure worth crores of Rupees, boasted of 285 departures a day from 63 domestic destinations and 17 locations abroad, IA said.

IA general manager Varghese and regional director Sampath Kumar, who were present, told reporters that IA offered various "flying packages" for leisure and business travellers. Tourists could now choose 'getaway' holidays, tailored to suit their time schedule, vocations and budgets.

On the corporate front, IA has revamped and re-launched its corporate house scheme, with more attractive slab system, offering incentives based on quantum of business in a year.

To a question, the two admitted that there were a lot of grey areas on which IA was paying extra focus. These included presentability and cleanliless of aircraft and staff attitude.

They said that the presentation and interaction was aimed at getting a feedback on IA'S performance.

PTI