Thai Airways International will lease two Boeing aircraft from Jet Airways (India) Ltd. this year, says an official at the national carrier. “Thai’s board approved the short-term lease of two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Jet Airways. The lease agreement will be valid for two years, with the aircraft to be delivered in October and November 2011,” the official says.

India is expected to shortlist within the next five months a manufacturer for a much-needed basic jet trainer aircraft. Five competitors—Grob's G-120 TP, Embraer's EMB-312 Super Tucano, Korea Aerospace Industries' KT-1, Finmeccanica's M-311 and Pilatus' PC-7—emerged after a request for proposal was issued early last year. The deal is estimated to cost about $1 billion.

India wants to introduce 100 seaplanes into service in the next 10 years to support tourism and essential services to its coastal and island territories. The federal government has allowed 100% foreign direct investment in the seaplane sector and has urged foreign operators to take advantage of the offer. India looks at more foreign direct investment in this sector so seaplanes can be introduced on a large scale not only for tourism, but also to provide essential services and medical aid during floods and other emergencies.