New Delhi: Air India (AI), which has a low international market share of about 20 per cent, to and from the country, will dry-lease two aircrafts shortly and proposes to operate to Lagos next year (2004), Lok Sabha was informed today (Dec 22, 2003).

The international flagship, which has inducted a total of 12 aircraft-two Boeing 747-400s and ten Airbus 310-300s-would dry-lease one B 747-400 and A 310-300, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy said in reply to questions.

He said the additional dry-lease capacity would be used to operate to Lagos as a new destination in the 2004 summer schedule.

The airline board had already approved a proposal for 28 aircraft - 10 Airbus A340s and 18 Boeing 737-800s worth Rs 10,500 crore - two months ago.

To a question on the flying age of airhostesses, Rudy said though AI had grounded those above the age of 50 years, the Government had directed it to allow female cabin crew’s flying duties till 58 years in view of the "exigencies of circumstances and in the interest of its operations", but subject to the prescribed conditions.