New Delhi: Air India would operate 25 flights to the United States from December, including weekly services to New York and Newark.

The public sector carrier, which is likely to finalise its fleet acquisition programme by this month, would add two flights to Los Angeles, taking the total to five via Frankfurt, senior airline officials said in New Delhi.

Air India would add two more flights to Los Angeles and one to Chicago by April next year, with the induction of new aircraft on lease, they said, adding two Boeing-777s would be inducted through leasing in December.

The officials said Air India would add new destinations by June next year, but refused to give details.

In November 2002, the airline had 10 flights to the US, which would increase to 25 this December, they said, adding this would include weekly services to New York and Newark, six to Chicago and five to Los Angeles.

While the flights to New York would fly via London, those to Newark would operate via Paris and to Chicago -- three each via London and Frankfurt. The Los Angeles flights would fly through Frankfurt.

The 'through flights' to the US via Europe would not only increase Air India's load factor but also enhance its product profile, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the airline was likely to finalise its fleet acquisition programme by this month-end after an empowered Committee of its Board presents its report following a re-look at the fleet plan, which is likely to be worth over Rs 11,000 crore.

The airline was asked by the Civil Aviation Ministry to have a fresh look at its fleet plan, keeping in view the prevailing market scenario.