All of the 42 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ordered by Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet on March 12 will be powered by Leap-1B engines, made by CFM. The engine order is valued at $1.1 billion at list price. “We are pleased that SpiceJet has continued to place its trust in CFM,” says Gael Meheust, vice president of sales for CFM. “We have built a great relationship with this airline over the years and really look forward to introducing the Leap engine into their new fleet.”

Beechcraft Corp., hoping to capitalize on a growing market for its flagship King Air 350i turboprop in India, is expanding its presence there with a new office, additional staff and a new sales representative. Beechcraft last month opened an office in New Delhi and appointed John Williams to the new position of India county director. Reghu Raman was further named field service representative. In addition, the company recently appointed Arrow Aircraft Sales and Charters Private Limited as its exclusive sales representative for India.

Despite frequent technical issues, Air India has no plans to ground its Boeing 787 fleet, but may seek compensation from the airframer for the financial loss suffered by the national carrier due to these glitches. On a day when Boeing delivered its thirteenth 787 aircraft, Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rohit Nandan said, “We have no such plans as of today to ground the 787s. It is for the regulators to take a view on the matter but we are quite satisfied with the quality of service we have received from this airplane and its economics.”