New Delhi: The government is considering an Indian Airlines' proposal to acquire 43 aircraft as part of its fleet and route expansion programme, Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain has said.

The Ministry was also processing another IA proposal for lease of six A-320 aircraft and four ATR-42-320 aircraft, Hussain told a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of his Ministry at Kochi on July 10.

The drastic cut in air fares in the ensuing lean season by IA and Jet Airways would not just be a bonanza for the common man but would benefit the aviation sector as well, an official release quoted him as saying.

Such fares, he said, had been offered for the first time in the Indian domestic market and hoped the strategy to offer 12 to 64 per cent concession in the economy class would turn out to be beneficial to the consumer and the industry.

Stating that Air India was expecting to post a net profit of over Rs 30 crore, first time in six years, Hussain said the flag carrier would lease three A-310 aircraft 2002 and three more in 2003.

The airline was also planning to induct two Boeing 737-400s by this winter enabling it to launch additional services, including direct flights to the US, the minister said, adding that an in-house expert committee had been appointed to formulate a fleet acquisition plan for the next five years.

PTI