Wednesday, January 11 2006 15:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: National carrier Air-India today (Jan 11,2006)signed a landmark agreement with US aerospace firm Boeing commercial airplane for purchase of 68 aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 35,000 crore.

The agreement was signed between Air-India Chairman V Thulasidas and President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplane Alan Mulally at the Air-India office in south Mumbai.

Air India's order consists of 23 Boeing 777s and 27 Boeing 787-800 dream liners, AI sources said.

Air-India Exp ress, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India will receive 18 boeing 737-800s, it added.

The move follows the decision of empowered group of ministers to clear the Air-India's proposal of aircraft purchase, the largest ever by an Indian carrier, after securing a financial discount of about Rs 1000 crore.