At least 19 affiliated with the United Nations were among those killed in the crash Sunday of an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/greek-man-saved-from-ethiopian-airlines-crash-by-being-two-minutes-late-calls-it-my-lucky-day-202437">Ethiopian Airlines jet</a> near Addis Ababa, according to the UN migration agency chief.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/four-indians-among-those-dead-in-ethiopian-airlines-plane-crash-202378">Authorities said all 157 people</a> on board were killed when the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-airlines-plane-crashes-with-157-on-board-no-survivors-says-state-media-202350">Boeing 737 crashed</a> shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on a flight to Nairobi, where the UN conference was being held.

"Early indications are that 19 staff members of UN-affiliated organizations perished," said International Organization for Migration head Antonio Vitorino.

"Numerous other staff members from at least five UN and affiliated organizations are understood to have also perished," he said. Along with the IOM, the World Food Program, UN Refugee Agency, World Bank, UN Environment Agency and others lost colleagues, he said.

Among the IOM staff on the plane was Anne Feigl, who worked for the agency's mission in Sudan.&nbsp;

Mission chief Catherine Northing remembered Feigl as "an extremely valued colleague and popular staff member, committed and professional."

Meanwhile, World Food Program director David Beasley, who confirmed seven of his staff had died, said: "As we mourn, let us reflect that each of these WFP colleagues was willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live."

In a statement, Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, did not confirm the number of colleagues among the dead -- but said his agency had suffered a "huge loss."

A UN source had earlier added that that freelance interpreter travelling to a UN conference on the environment might also be among the dead.

Establishing the exact number of UN personnel on the flight was complicated by the fact that some had informed the United Nations of their travel plans while others had not, and not all were using their UN passports to travel, the source said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives."

"He conveys his heartfelt sympathies and solidarity to the victims' families and loved ones, including those of United Nations staff members, as well as sincere condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia," the statement said.

"The United Nations is in contact with the Ethiopian authorities and working closely with them to establish the details of United Nations personnel who lost their lives in this tragedy."

At least 19 affiliated with the United Nations were among those killed in the crash Sunday of an Ethiopian Airlines jet near Addis Ababa, according to the UN migration agency chief.

At least 19 affiliated with the United Nations were among those killed in the crash Sunday of an Ethiopian Airlines jet near Addis Ababa, according to the UN migration agency chief. Authorities said all 157 people on board were killed when the Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on a flight to Nairobi, where the UN conference was being held. "Early indications are that 19 staff members of UN-affiliated organizations perished," said International Organization for Migration head Antonio Vitorino. "Numerous other staff members from at least five UN and affiliated organizations are understood to have also perished," he said. Along with the IOM, the World Food Program, UN Refugee Agency, World Bank, UN Environment Agency and others lost colleagues, he said. Among the IOM staff on the plane was Anne Feigl, who worked for the agency's mission in Sudan. Mission chief Catherine Northing remembered Feigl as "an extremely valued colleague and popular staff member, committed and professional." Meanwhile, World Food Program director David Beasley, who confirmed seven of his staff had died, said: "As we mourn, let us reflect that each of these WFP colleagues was willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live." In a statement, Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, did not confirm the number of colleagues among the dead -- but said his agency had suffered a "huge loss." A UN source had earlier added that that freelance interpreter travelling to a UN conference on the environment might also be among the dead. Establishing the exact number of UN personnel on the flight was complicated by the fact that some had informed the United Nations of their travel plans while others had not, and not all were using their UN passports to travel, the source said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives." "He conveys his heartfelt sympathies and solidarity to the victims' families and loved ones, including those of United Nations staff members, as well as sincere condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia," the statement said. "The United Nations is in contact with the Ethiopian authorities and working closely with them to establish the details of United Nations personnel who lost their lives in this tragedy."

Ethiopian Airlines crash: At least 19 UN-affiliated personnel among 157 dead

Shares of Boeing Co slid 9 per cent in early trading on Monday as many airlines grounded the planemaker's best selling 737 MAX 8 passenger jet following the second deadly crash involving the plane.

A<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jet-airways-spicejet-to-be-questioned-on-boeing-b737-max-planes-after-ethiopian-crash-202539"> Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 </a>operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 on board. The same model flown by Lion Air crashed off the coast of Indonesia in October, killing all 189 on board.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China ordered Chinese airlines to ground all Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes after the crash. The CAA said it would contact the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing regarding the resumption of operations once they are assured that measures have been taken to ensure safety.

Ethiopian Airlines said it had grounded its 737 MAX 8 fleet until further notice as an "extra safety precaution" even though it did not know the cause of Sunday's crash.

The 737 MAX 8 uses LEAP-1B engines made by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric Co and Safran SA. Shares in Safran also fell 1.6 percent on Monday.

Boeing said on Monday the investigation into the Ethiopian Airlines crash is in its early stages and there is no need to issue new guidance to operators of its 737 MAX 8 aircraft based on the information it has so far.

Shares of rival Airbus SE were up 0.5 pct.

Shares of Boeing Co slid 9 per cent in early trading on Monday as many airlines grounded the planemaker's best selling 737 MAX 8 passenger jet following the second deadly crash involving the plane.

Shares of Boeing Co slid 9 per cent in early trading on Monday as many airlines grounded the planemaker's best selling 737 MAX 8 passenger jet following the second deadly crash involving the plane. A Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 on board. The same model flown by Lion Air crashed off the coast of Indonesia in October, killing all 189 on board. The Civil Aviation Administration of China ordered Chinese airlines to ground all Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes after the crash. The CAA said it would contact the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing regarding the resumption of operations once they are assured that measures have been taken to ensure safety. Ethiopian Airlines said it had grounded its 737 MAX 8 fleet until further notice as an "extra safety precaution" even though it did not know the cause of Sunday's crash. The 737 MAX 8 uses LEAP-1B engines made by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric Co and Safran SA. Shares in Safran also fell 1.6 percent on Monday. Boeing said on Monday the investigation into the Ethiopian Airlines crash is in its early stages and there is no need to issue new guidance to operators of its 737 MAX 8 aircraft based on the information it has so far. Shares of rival Airbus SE were up 0.5 pct.

Boeing shares fall after second deadly 737 MAX 8 crash

Boeing 737: Lion Air, Ethiopian Airlines and the Indian connection

US aerospace manufacturer Boeing Co said on Tuesday it has nominated <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-to-not-give-aid-to-pakistan-until-it-stops-harbouring-terrorists-nikki-haley-199764">Nikki Haley</a>, former US ambassador to the United Nations and a close ally of President Donald Trump, to join its board of directors at the company's annual shareholders meeting on April 29.

If elected by Boeing shareholders, she would help guide the future of America's largest exporter, with a network of suppliers across the United States and the world, as Washington and Beijing have been locked in intense negotiations to end a trade war.

Viewed as a rising Republican Party star, Haley has often been mentioned as a future presidential candidate. Her counterparts at the United Nations saw her as a voice of clarity in the Trump administration.

In a statement, Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg praised Haley's record in government and industry partnership.

"Boeing will benefit greatly from her broad perspectives and combined diplomatic, government and business experience to help achieve our aspiration to be the best in aerospace and a global industrial champion," Muilenburg said.

Based on total compensation for Boeing's other 13 board members, Haley can expect to earn more than $300,000, well above her salary as UN ambassador.

Haley, 47, is the first female governor of South Carolina and a three-term legislator in the South Carolina House of Representatives. As governor in 2015, Haley was a key opponent of a campaign by Boeing's largest labour union to form a collective bargaining unit at its 787 Dreamliner factory in South Carolina - though the machinists were later successful in forming a small bargaining unit there.

Boeing has faced growing scrutiny over its links to the Trump administration after a former senior plane making executive, Pat Shanahan, was named deputy defence secretary and later acting defence secretary. The 31-year Boeing veteran has recused himself, however, from matters relating to the aerospace company.

The US&nbsp;government has been weighing the purchase of an advanced version of the F-15 Boeing fighter. Last year, Boeing's defence side had a series of wins, including the US Air Force's next training jet, which could be worth up to $9.2 billion, as well as a contract to replace UH-1N Huey helicopters worth $2.4 billion over the life of the programs.

Dan Grazier, a defence analyst with the Project on Government Oversight, said Haley's nomination "seems a bit curious" given her lack of aerospace experience.

"The practice of government employees trading on their public service to secure high-paying positions at the top levels of government contracting firms has been long established and it sets up all kinds of potential conflicts of interest," Grazier said.

Separately on Tuesday, the shareholders of Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA approved a deal to sell 80 per cent of the Sao Paulo-based company's commercial jet division to Boeing, a move that could reshape the global market for aircraft of up to 150 seats.

Boeing shares closed flat at $426.77 a share on the New York Stock Exchange.

US aerospace manufacturer Boeing Co said on Tuesday it has nominated Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations and a close ally of President Donald Trump, to join its board of directors at the company's annual shareholders meeting on April 29.

US aerospace manufacturer Boeing Co said on Tuesday it has nominated Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations and a close ally of President Donald Trump, to join its board of directors at the company's annual shareholders meeting on April 29. If elected by Boeing shareholders, she would help guide the future of America's largest exporter, with a network of suppliers across the United States and the world, as Washington and Beijing have been locked in intense negotiations to end a trade war. Viewed as a rising Republican Party star, Haley has often been mentioned as a future presidential candidate. Her counterparts at the United Nations saw her as a voice of clarity in the Trump administration. In a statement, Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg praised Haley's record in government and industry partnership. "Boeing will benefit greatly from her broad perspectives and combined diplomatic, government and business experience to help achieve our aspiration to be the best in aerospace and a global industrial champion," Muilenburg said. Based on total compensation for Boeing's other 13 board members, Haley can expect to earn more than $300,000, well above her salary as UN ambassador. Haley, 47, is the first female governor of South Carolina and a three-term legislator in the South Carolina House of Representatives. As governor in 2015, Haley was a key opponent of a campaign by Boeing's largest labour union to form a collective bargaining unit at its 787 Dreamliner factory in South Carolina - though the machinists were later successful in forming a small bargaining unit there. Boeing has faced growing scrutiny over its links to the Trump administration after a former senior plane making executive, Pat Shanahan, was named deputy defence secretary and later acting defence secretary. The 31-year Boeing veteran has recused himself, however, from matters relating to the aerospace company. The US government has been weighing the purchase of an advanced version of the F-15 Boeing fighter. Last year, Boeing's defence side had a series of wins, including the US Air Force's next training jet, which could be worth up to $9.2 billion, as well as a contract to replace UH-1N Huey helicopters worth $2.4 billion over the life of the programs. Dan Grazier, a defence analyst with the Project on Government Oversight, said Haley's nomination "seems a bit curious" given her lack of aerospace experience. "The practice of government employees trading on their public service to secure high-paying positions at the top levels of government contracting firms has been long established and it sets up all kinds of potential conflicts of interest," Grazier said. Separately on Tuesday, the shareholders of Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA approved a deal to sell 80 per cent of the Sao Paulo-based company's commercial jet division to Boeing, a move that could reshape the global market for aircraft of up to 150 seats. Boeing shares closed flat at $426.77 a share on the New York Stock Exchange.

Boeing nominates former UN ambassador Nikki Haley to join its board

The US State Department has approved sale of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-army-to-buy-israels-iron-dome-missile-defence-system-195689">two Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures</a> (LAIRCM) Self Protection Suites (SPS) for Boeing aircraft to be used in India at an estimated cost of $190 million.&nbsp;

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has been asked by the State Department to issue the required certificate notifying the US Congress about the sale. Once the US Senate approves the deal, the deal will enter into the negotiation stage and then the sale will be concluded. The prime contractor will be Boeing Company, Oklahoma City, US.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said, "The government of India has requested to buy two Self-Protection Suites (SPS) consisting of AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), ALQ-211(V)8 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS), and AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) to protect two (2) Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft."

While approving the deal, Pentagon's DSCA said that the "proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship" and to "improve the security of a major defensive partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region."

The department added,"the proposed sale will improve<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinas-missile-defense-system-for-pakistan-aimed-at-indias-brahmos-missile-37014"> India's capability to deter regional threats</a>" with the SPS facilitating "a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats."

The sale will include - 12 Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (6 installed and 6 spares), 8 LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (2 installed and 6 spares, 23 Missile Warning Sensors (12 installed and 11 spares) and five Counter-Measures Dispensing System (2 installed and 3 spares).

The department also assured that the sale will not "alter the basic military balance in the region".

The&nbsp;US is the second-largest arms supplier to India. Washington has already recognised India as a "major defence partner", a status that which commits the US to facilitate technology sharing with India.

Pentagon's Missile defence review (MDR) 2019 had mentioned that the United States has been discussing "potential missile defence cooperation" with India.

In 2018, US granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status. India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 status and third Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The status eases defence procurement from US. Last year both New Delhi and Washington signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement).

The COMCASA deal happened despite fears that the US might slow defence engagement with New Delhi after the India-Russia S400 air defence system deal in October last year.

The US State Department has approved sale of two Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self Protection Suites (SPS) for Boeing aircraft to be used in India at an estimated cost of $190 million.

The US State Department has approved sale of two Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self Protection Suites (SPS) for Boeing aircraft to be used in India at an estimated cost of $190 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has been asked by the State Department to issue the required certificate notifying the US Congress about the sale. Once the US Senate approves the deal, the deal will enter into the negotiation stage and then the sale will be concluded. The prime contractor will be Boeing Company, Oklahoma City, US. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said, "The government of India has requested to buy two Self-Protection Suites (SPS) consisting of AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), ALQ-211(V)8 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS), and AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) to protect two (2) Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft." While approving the deal, Pentagon's DSCA said that the "proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship" and to "improve the security of a major defensive partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region." The department added,"the proposed sale will improve India's capability to deter regional threats" with the SPS facilitating "a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats." The sale will include - 12 Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (6 installed and 6 spares), 8 LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (2 installed and 6 spares, 23 Missile Warning Sensors (12 installed and 11 spares) and five Counter-Measures Dispensing System (2 installed and 3 spares). The department also assured that the sale will not "alter the basic military balance in the region". The US is the second-largest arms supplier to India. Washington has already recognised India as a "major defence partner", a status that which commits the US to facilitate technology sharing with India. Pentagon's Missile defence review (MDR) 2019 had mentioned that the United States has been discussing "potential missile defence cooperation" with India. In 2018, US granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status. India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 status and third Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The status eases defence procurement from US. Last year both New Delhi and Washington signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement). The COMCASA deal happened despite fears that the US might slow defence engagement with New Delhi after the India-Russia S400 air defence system deal in October last year.

US State Department approves aircraft defence deal to 'improve India's capability to deter regional threats'

The US has agreed to sell two state-of-the-art missile defence systems to Air India One for an estimated cost of US $190 million, a move that will enhance the security of planes flying the prime minister and the president.

According to the Pentagon, the sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Trump administrations approved the purchase of the two systems known as Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCAM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS) for an estimated cost of US $190 million, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a notification to the Congress on Wednesday.

The US decision came after the Indian Government recently made a request for LAIRCAM SPS, given the high-level threat to the prime minister and the president.&nbsp;

The defence systems, which would bring security of Air India One at par with that of Air Force One, would be installed in two Boeing 777 Head-of- State aircraft, the Pentagon said.

The Indian Government plans to buy two Bowing 777 from the national carrier Air India for this specific purpose and unlike in the past would not be used for commercial purposes.&nbsp;

The purpose of the LAIRCM programme is to protect large aircraft from man-portable missiles. Once installed, the LAIRCAM system increases crew-warning time, decreases false alarm rates and automatically counters advanced intermediate range missile systems, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

The missile warning subsystem will use multiple sensors to provide full spatial coverage.&nbsp;

The counter-measures subsystem will use lasers mounted in pointer-tracker turret assemblies. It also automatically counters advanced intermediate range missile systems with no action required by the crew.&nbsp;

The pilot will simply be informed that a threat missile was detected and jammed.&nbsp;

Observing that it will improve India's capability to deter regional threats, the Congressional notification said SPS will facilitate a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats.&nbsp;

"India will have no problem absorbing and using this system, it said.&nbsp;

According to the notification, India had requested to buy two SPS consisting of AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), ALQ-211(V)8 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) and AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) to protect two (2) Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft.&nbsp;

"This potential sale would include twelve Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (6 installed and 6 spares), eight (8) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (2 installed and 6 spares); twenty-three (23) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) for AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (12 installed and 11 spares), five (5) AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) (2 installed and 3 spares)," the notification said.

Also included in this sale are Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS), LAIRCM CIURs, SCAs, HCCs, and UDM cards, initial spares, consumables, repair and return support and support equipment.&nbsp;

The department also assured that the sale will not "alter the basic military balance in the region".

The US is the second-largest arms supplier to India. It has already recognised India as a "major defence partner", a status that which commits the US to facilitate technology sharing with India.

In 2018, the US granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status. India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 status and third Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The status eases defence procurement from US.

Last year both New Delhi and Washington signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement).

The US has agreed to sell two state-of-the-art missile defence systems to Air India One for an estimated cost of US $190 million, a move that will enhance the security of planes flying the prime minister and the president.

The US has agreed to sell two state-of-the-art missile defence systems to Air India One for an estimated cost of US $190 million, a move that will enhance the security of planes flying the prime minister and the president. According to the Pentagon, the sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship. The Trump administrations approved the purchase of the two systems known as Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCAM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS) for an estimated cost of US $190 million, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a notification to the Congress on Wednesday. The US decision came after the Indian Government recently made a request for LAIRCAM SPS, given the high-level threat to the prime minister and the president. The defence systems, which would bring security of Air India One at par with that of Air Force One, would be installed in two Boeing 777 Head-of- State aircraft, the Pentagon said. The Indian Government plans to buy two Bowing 777 from the national carrier Air India for this specific purpose and unlike in the past would not be used for commercial purposes. The purpose of the LAIRCM programme is to protect large aircraft from man-portable missiles. Once installed, the LAIRCAM system increases crew-warning time, decreases false alarm rates and automatically counters advanced intermediate range missile systems, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The missile warning subsystem will use multiple sensors to provide full spatial coverage. The counter-measures subsystem will use lasers mounted in pointer-tracker turret assemblies. It also automatically counters advanced intermediate range missile systems with no action required by the crew. The pilot will simply be informed that a threat missile was detected and jammed. Observing that it will improve India's capability to deter regional threats, the Congressional notification said SPS will facilitate a more robust capability into areas of increased missile threats. "India will have no problem absorbing and using this system, it said. According to the notification, India had requested to buy two SPS consisting of AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), ALQ-211(V)8 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) and AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) to protect two (2) Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft. "This potential sale would include twelve Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (6 installed and 6 spares), eight (8) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (2 installed and 6 spares); twenty-three (23) Missile Warning Sensors (MWS) for AN/AAQ-24 (V)N (12 installed and 11 spares), five (5) AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS) (2 installed and 3 spares)," the notification said. Also included in this sale are Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (AIDEWS), LAIRCM CIURs, SCAs, HCCs, and UDM cards, initial spares, consumables, repair and return support and support equipment. The department also assured that the sale will not "alter the basic military balance in the region". The US is the second-largest arms supplier to India. It has already recognised India as a "major defence partner", a status that which commits the US to facilitate technology sharing with India. In 2018, the US granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status. India is the only South Asian country to get STA1 status and third Asian country after Japan and South Korea. The status eases defence procurement from US. Last year both New Delhi and Washington signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement).

US approves sale of two missile defence systems for Air India One 

In pictures: India gets its first Chinook helicopter from US's Boeing

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sbi-set-to-own-15-of-jet-airways-after-debt-for-equity-swap-reports-193650">Crisis-ridden Jet Airways</a> has decided to cancel 15 flights on Wednesday following the grounding of six Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, according to sources.

The airline, which is grappling with acute financial woes, cancelled around 20 flights on Tuesday as three more Boeing 737 aircraft were grounded, they added.

In two days, the carrier has grounded six such planes following non-payment of lease rentals.

The sources said the airline would be cancelling 15 flights on Wednesday, including a few flights from the national capital to various destinations.

"<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jet-airways-shares-bounce-back-settle-with-over-5-pc-gain-191048&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj9l_DnmZXgAhXFRY8KHQ1LB34QFggXMAY&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3O0l0lm1REqKvZEkeZRpJw">Jet Airways</a> has defaulted on aircraft lease rentals and it has been forced to ground three more narrow-body Boeing 737 planes," a source told PTI earlier in the day.

Queries sent to the airline remained unanswered.

Due to the fresh grounding of the planes, the airline, which is negotiating with its partner Etihad for an additional cash infusion, has cancelled as many as 19 flights to/ from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Port Blair and Bengaluru, the source said.

The full-service carrier would be holding a meeting of the shareholders on February 21.

The airline will seek shareholders' approval for conversion loan into shares or convertible instruments or other securities, according to a regulatory filing made on Monday.

The carrier would seek shareholders' nod to "convert the whole or part of the outstanding under loans, extended / to be extended by the lenders, into shares, or convertible instruments or other securities, of the company...", according to the notice of the meeting submitted to the stock exchanges.

The conversion will be done as per the terms contained in the respective loan documents between the company and its lenders. It would also be subject to all requisite regulatory approvals.

Besides, Jet Airways will seek shareholders' approval to negotiate and finalise the terms and conditions with the lenders for raising further loans from time to time as well as provide the lenders with a right to convert such loans into shares, or convertible instruments or other securities.&nbsp;

Crisis-ridden Jet Airways has decided to cancel 15 flights on Wednesday following the grounding of six Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, according to sources.

Crisis-ridden Jet Airways has decided to cancel 15 flights on Wednesday following the grounding of six Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, according to sources. The airline, which is grappling with acute financial woes, cancelled around 20 flights on Tuesday as three more Boeing 737 aircraft were grounded, they added. In two days, the carrier has grounded six such planes following non-payment of lease rentals. The sources said the airline would be cancelling 15 flights on Wednesday, including a few flights from the national capital to various destinations. "Jet Airways has defaulted on aircraft lease rentals and it has been forced to ground three more narrow-body Boeing 737 planes," a source told PTI earlier in the day. Queries sent to the airline remained unanswered. Due to the fresh grounding of the planes, the airline, which is negotiating with its partner Etihad for an additional cash infusion, has cancelled as many as 19 flights to/ from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Port Blair and Bengaluru, the source said. The full-service carrier would be holding a meeting of the shareholders on February 21. The airline will seek shareholders' approval for conversion loan into shares or convertible instruments or other securities, according to a regulatory filing made on Monday. The carrier would seek shareholders' nod to "convert the whole or part of the outstanding under loans, extended / to be extended by the lenders, into shares, or convertible instruments or other securities, of the company...", according to the notice of the meeting submitted to the stock exchanges. The conversion will be done as per the terms contained in the respective loan documents between the company and its lenders. It would also be subject to all requisite regulatory approvals. Besides, Jet Airways will seek shareholders' approval to negotiate and finalise the terms and conditions with the lenders for raising further loans from time to time as well as provide the lenders with a right to convert such loans into shares, or convertible instruments or other securities.

Jet Airways cancels 15 flights, grounds six Boeing's due to financial woes

With little hops and jumps, 'flying cars' are becoming a reality

A military cargo plane crashed near the Iranian capital Tehran, the army said on Monday, with local media reporting at least 10 people onboard.&nbsp;

The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived.&nbsp;

State broadcaster IRIB earlier said there were 10 people on the plane, without confirming any casualties.&nbsp;

"A (Boeing) cargo 707 place carrying meat took off from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and had an emergency landing at Fath airport this morning," the army said in a statement on its website.

Fath airport is in Alborz province, just east of Tehran.

"It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway," the army statement said.&nbsp;

State broadcaster IRIB showed footage of burning wreckage in a wooded area, while several agencies showed teams of rescue workers around the charred fusilage.&nbsp;

"Details of the accident and martyrdom or injury of the flight team is still being investigated," the army said. 
&nbsp;

A military cargo plane crashed near the Iranian capital Tehran, the army said on Monday, with local media reporting at least 10 people onboard. The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived.

A military cargo plane crashed near the Iranian capital Tehran, the army said on Monday, with local media reporting at least 10 people onboard. The Fars news agency, considered close to the military, said there were 16 people onboard and that only the flight engineer had survived. State broadcaster IRIB earlier said there were 10 people on the plane, without confirming any casualties. "A (Boeing) cargo 707 place carrying meat took off from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and had an emergency landing at Fath airport this morning," the army said in a statement on its website. Fath airport is in Alborz province, just east of Tehran. "It exited the runway during the landing and caught fire after hitting the wall at the end of the runway," the army statement said. State broadcaster IRIB showed footage of burning wreckage in a wooded area, while several agencies showed teams of rescue workers around the charred fusilage. "Details of the accident and martyrdom or injury of the flight team is still being investigated," the army said.

Cargo plane crashes in Iran, 10 feared dead

Patrick Shanahan, who on Tuesday becomes the acting US secretary of defence, takes the helm of America's massive military machine at a critical time.

Shanahan is moving up from his position as deputy defence secretary to the top spot following <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-replace-jim-mattis-with-deputy-patrick-shanahan-186048">the resignation of Jim Mattis</a>, who quit over long-running - and ultimately irreconcilable - disagreements with President Donald Trump.

Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan will be thrust onto the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump.

The president this month ordered the withdrawal of all US forces from Syria and, according to US officials, a 50 per cent drawdown in Afghanistan —momentous decisions that have left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next.

Shanahan must now oversee the US withdrawal from Syria and play a key role in helping Trump decide the pace of the pull-out.

Another consideration he must weigh is what, if any, protections should go to Kurdish forces that the US military had been backing to fight Islamic State jihadists.

Turkey views the Kurdish YPG fighters as "terrorists" and has vowed to attack them in northern Syria.

While Shanahan has not always had day-to-day involvement in thorny geopolitical issues like this, Pentagon officials say he is ready to tackle them.

"He's had 18 months to observe all of these operations, he's been in all of the meetings, he's been in all the discussions, he's briefed the White House," Shanahan's spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Buccino, told AFP.

A Washington state native, the 56-year-old Shanahan spent more than three decades at Boeing, where he became senior vice president, worked on missile defence systems and was general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program.

Trump announced Shanahan's appointment in a December 23 tweet that also brought Mattis's planned departure date forward by two months.

According to US media, Trump was angry over news coverage of Mattis's stinging resignation letter that laid bare his fundamental disagreements with the president.

Despite a lack of foreign policy or military experience, Shanahan's executive and technical knowledge made him well suited for the Pentagon's number two position, which focuses more on the Defence Department's business side.

In his time as deputy, the soft-spoken Shanahan played a key role in helping Mattis and others develop vital policy documents such as the National Defence Strategy (NDS), a sweeping review that highlights a new era of "Great Power competition" with Russia and China.

He also has voiced support for Trump's aim of creating a "Space Force," a sixth branch of the military that still needs approval from the US Congress.

Buccino pointed to the NDS as a key area for Shanahan's focus. "He sees the national defence strategy as the blueprint, as the guide for all actions, directions, policies for the Pentagon," Buccino said.

Before starting at the Pentagon in July 2017, Shanahan's lack of foreign policy chops got him in hot water with the late John McCain, the senior Republican senator who led the Senate Armed Services Committee.

At his confirmation hearing, an irascible McCain said a lack of detail in some of Shanahan's foreign policy answers was "almost insulting." McCain also expressed concerns that putting a former executive from a defence industry giant in the Pentagon could be akin to putting a fox "back into the henhouse."&nbsp;

International allies will look to Shanahan, as they did to Mattis, for reassurances about America's commitment to longstanding alliances - even as Trump assails partner nations for not paying more for their defence.

Shanahan must tread a careful line with the mercurial president, especially if he wants to get rid of the "acting" prefix of his job title.

Trump has shown an aversion to listening to dissenting advice and has parted company with many of the top aides to have challenged him.

He fired secretary of state Rex Tillerson, former national security advisor HR McMaster resigned, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is on his way out the door.

An official close to Shanahan said he would feel comfortable giving Trump an opposing opinion if necessary.

"His entire adult life, Shanahan has provided a dissenting voice to leadership when needed," the official said.

"He would have no qualms doing that."

Patrick Shanahan, who on Tuesday becomes the acting US secretary of defence, takes the helm of America's massive military machine at a critical time. Shanahan is moving up from his position as deputy defence secretary to the top spot following the resignation of Jim Mattis, who quit over long-running - and ultimately irreconcilable - disagreements with President Donald Trump.

Patrick Shanahan, who on Tuesday becomes the acting US secretary of defence, takes the helm of America's massive military machine at a critical time. Shanahan is moving up from his position as deputy defence secretary to the top spot following the resignation of Jim Mattis, who quit over long-running - and ultimately irreconcilable - disagreements with President Donald Trump. Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan will be thrust onto the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump. The president this month ordered the withdrawal of all US forces from Syria and, according to US officials, a 50 per cent drawdown in Afghanistan —momentous decisions that have left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next. Shanahan must now oversee the US withdrawal from Syria and play a key role in helping Trump decide the pace of the pull-out. Another consideration he must weigh is what, if any, protections should go to Kurdish forces that the US military had been backing to fight Islamic State jihadists. Turkey views the Kurdish YPG fighters as "terrorists" and has vowed to attack them in northern Syria. While Shanahan has not always had day-to-day involvement in thorny geopolitical issues like this, Pentagon officials say he is ready to tackle them. "He's had 18 months to observe all of these operations, he's been in all of the meetings, he's been in all the discussions, he's briefed the White House," Shanahan's spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Buccino, told AFP. A Washington state native, the 56-year-old Shanahan spent more than three decades at Boeing, where he became senior vice president, worked on missile defence systems and was general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program. Trump announced Shanahan's appointment in a December 23 tweet that also brought Mattis's planned departure date forward by two months. According to US media, Trump was angry over news coverage of Mattis's stinging resignation letter that laid bare his fundamental disagreements with the president. Despite a lack of foreign policy or military experience, Shanahan's executive and technical knowledge made him well suited for the Pentagon's number two position, which focuses more on the Defence Department's business side. In his time as deputy, the soft-spoken Shanahan played a key role in helping Mattis and others develop vital policy documents such as the National Defence Strategy (NDS), a sweeping review that highlights a new era of "Great Power competition" with Russia and China. He also has voiced support for Trump's aim of creating a "Space Force," a sixth branch of the military that still needs approval from the US Congress. Buccino pointed to the NDS as a key area for Shanahan's focus. "He sees the national defence strategy as the blueprint, as the guide for all actions, directions, policies for the Pentagon," Buccino said. Before starting at the Pentagon in July 2017, Shanahan's lack of foreign policy chops got him in hot water with the late John McCain, the senior Republican senator who led the Senate Armed Services Committee. At his confirmation hearing, an irascible McCain said a lack of detail in some of Shanahan's foreign policy answers was "almost insulting." McCain also expressed concerns that putting a former executive from a defence industry giant in the Pentagon could be akin to putting a fox "back into the henhouse." International allies will look to Shanahan, as they did to Mattis, for reassurances about America's commitment to longstanding alliances - even as Trump assails partner nations for not paying more for their defence. Shanahan must tread a careful line with the mercurial president, especially if he wants to get rid of the "acting" prefix of his job title. Trump has shown an aversion to listening to dissenting advice and has parted company with many of the top aides to have challenged him. He fired secretary of state Rex Tillerson, former national security advisor HR McMaster resigned, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is on his way out the door. An official close to Shanahan said he would feel comfortable giving Trump an opposing opinion if necessary. "His entire adult life, Shanahan has provided a dissenting voice to leadership when needed," the official said. "He would have no qualms doing that."

After Jim Mattis, Patrick Shanahan takes Pentagon helm at critical time

Boeing Co raised its projection for India’s aircraft orders to a record high on Wednesday, predicting the nation’s carriers would order up to 2,300 new planes worth $320 billion from global planemakers over the next 20 years. The U.S. planemaker’s estimate for the period to 2037 is about 9.5 per cent higher than its previous prediction of 2,100 jets until 2036 made last year.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with domestic passenger traffic growing at around 20 per cent in recent years, and Boeing expects it to become the third-largest commercial aviation market by the early 2020s. High oil prices, hefty fuel taxes and a weak rupee have hurt airlines’ profitability this year, although pressure is starting to ease as oil prices fall and the currency firms.

The Indian market, dominated by low-cost carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet, is also hobbled by cut-throat competition and chronically low fares that have left full-service airlines like Jet Airways and Air India strapped for cash. “India sees dramatic fares and discounts and that is going to hurt airlines more and more,” Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific and India sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told reporters on Wednesday.

“It is important that discipline in airfares comes in.” Domestic carriers like Vistara, a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and India’s Tata Sons, IndiGo and budget airline GoAir are looking overseas for better returns. Boeing expects single-aisle planes, such as its 737 MAX, to account for 84 per cent of global planemakers’ new jet deliveries to India from 2018-2037, higher than the global average.&nbsp;

Boeing Co raised its projection for India’s aircraft orders to a record high on Wednesday, predicting the nation’s carriers would order up to 2,300 new planes worth $320 billion from global planemakers over the next 20 years.

Boeing Co raised its projection for India’s aircraft orders to a record high on Wednesday, predicting the nation’s carriers would order up to 2,300 new planes worth $320 billion from global planemakers over the next 20 years. The U.S. planemaker’s estimate for the period to 2037 is about 9.5 per cent higher than its previous prediction of 2,100 jets until 2036 made last year. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with domestic passenger traffic growing at around 20 per cent in recent years, and Boeing expects it to become the third-largest commercial aviation market by the early 2020s. High oil prices, hefty fuel taxes and a weak rupee have hurt airlines’ profitability this year, although pressure is starting to ease as oil prices fall and the currency firms. The Indian market, dominated by low-cost carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet, is also hobbled by cut-throat competition and chronically low fares that have left full-service airlines like Jet Airways and Air India strapped for cash. “India sees dramatic fares and discounts and that is going to hurt airlines more and more,” Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific and India sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told reporters on Wednesday. “It is important that discipline in airfares comes in.” Domestic carriers like Vistara, a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and India’s Tata Sons, IndiGo and budget airline GoAir are looking overseas for better returns. Boeing expects single-aisle planes, such as its 737 MAX, to account for 84 per cent of global planemakers’ new jet deliveries to India from 2018-2037, higher than the global average.

Boeing sees Indian carriers ordering up to 2,300 planes over 20 years

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lion-air-jet-should-have-been-grounded-before-fatal-flight-indonesia-says-179905">Indonesia's Lion Air </a>is reviewing airplane purchases from Boeing Co and has not ruled out cancelling orders as relations worsen in a spat over responsibility for a 737 jetliner crash that killed 189 people in late October, sources told Reuters.

Group co-founder Rusdi Kirana is furious over what he sees as attempts by Boeing to deflect attention from recent design changes and blame Lion Air for the crash, while the airline faces scrutiny over its maintenance record and pilots' actions, said the people, who have knowledge of the matter.

Kirana is examining the possibility of cancelling remaining orders of Boeing jets "from the next delivery", according to one of the sources who is familiar with his thinking. Another source close to the airline said it was looking at cancelling orders.

Kirana, a former group CEO who now serves as Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia, remains closely involved with Lion Air and hosts a monthly meeting in Kuala Lumpur with the heads of the group's airlines based in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, according to the second person and an industry source.

No final decision has been made by Lion Air, but the discussion over the fate of $22 billion of remaining orders highlights the stakes surrounding an investigation involving Boeing's fastest-ever selling jet, the 737 MAX, which entered service last year.

Lion Air has 190 Boeing jets worth $22 billion at list prices waiting to be delivered, on top of 197 already taken, making it one of the largest US&nbsp;export customers.

Any request to cancel could be designed to put pressure on Boeing and may require lengthy negotiations. Many airlines defer orders, but industry sources say aerospace suppliers rarely allow much scope for unilateral cancellations.

Lion Air declined to comment. It was also not immediately clear how much of the airline is owned by Kirana.

A Boeing spokesman said: "We are taking every measure to fully understand all aspects of this accident, and are working closely with the investigating team and all regulatory authorities involved. We are also supporting our valued customer through this very tough time."

MAINTENANCE, SOFTWARE

Kirana, who co-founded the airline with his brother in 2000, ordered the review of airline purchases in response to Boeing's statement last week focusing attention on piloting and maintenance topics, the person said.

Boeing released the statement focusing on maintenance actions spread over four flights in the run-up to the fatal flight on October 29, after investigators issued an interim report that did not give a cause for the crash.

Boeing is also examining software changes in the wake of the crash, while insisting longstanding procedures exist for pilots to cancel automated nose-down movements experienced by the 737 MAX in response to erroneous sensor readings.

It has come under fire from US pilots for not mentioning the MCAS system - a modification of existing anti-stall systems - in the manual for the 737 MAX, which began service last year.

"Why are they changing (software) if there was nothing wrong?" the person familiar with Kirana's thinking said.

Boeing has said all information needed to fly the 737 safely is available to pilots and that its workhorse model is safe.

Bankers and some analysts say Lion Air and Southeast Asian rivals over-expanded and would be comfortable with fewer orders.

But the row highlights an unusually polarised dispute over the causes of the crash. Experts say most accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors and parties rarely comment in detail before the final report, which often follows a year of analysis.

In its statement, Boeing recapped the interim report and listed questions on maintenance and pilot behaviour that it said remained unanswered in the 78-page document, but did not mention the MCAS modification covered in an earlier safety bulletin.

It is not the first time an airline has crossed swords with its supplier after a crash.

Lion Air's rival AirAsia Group Bhd clashed with Airbus SE after its Indonesian subsidiary lost an A320 in 2014. It continued to take deliveries, but relations never fully recovered and it later toyed with buying 787s from Boeing.

Indonesia's Lion Air is reviewing airplane purchases from Boeing Co and has not ruled out cancelling orders as relations worsen in a spat over responsibility for a 737 jetliner crash that killed 189 people in late October, sources told Reuters.

Indonesia's Lion Air is reviewing airplane purchases from Boeing Co and has not ruled out cancelling orders as relations worsen in a spat over responsibility for a 737 jetliner crash that killed 189 people in late October, sources told Reuters. Group co-founder Rusdi Kirana is furious over what he sees as attempts by Boeing to deflect attention from recent design changes and blame Lion Air for the crash, while the airline faces scrutiny over its maintenance record and pilots' actions, said the people, who have knowledge of the matter. Kirana is examining the possibility of cancelling remaining orders of Boeing jets "from the next delivery", according to one of the sources who is familiar with his thinking. Another source close to the airline said it was looking at cancelling orders. Kirana, a former group CEO who now serves as Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia, remains closely involved with Lion Air and hosts a monthly meeting in Kuala Lumpur with the heads of the group's airlines based in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, according to the second person and an industry source. No final decision has been made by Lion Air, but the discussion over the fate of $22 billion of remaining orders highlights the stakes surrounding an investigation involving Boeing's fastest-ever selling jet, the 737 MAX, which entered service last year. Lion Air has 190 Boeing jets worth $22 billion at list prices waiting to be delivered, on top of 197 already taken, making it one of the largest US export customers. Any request to cancel could be designed to put pressure on Boeing and may require lengthy negotiations. Many airlines defer orders, but industry sources say aerospace suppliers rarely allow much scope for unilateral cancellations. Lion Air declined to comment. It was also not immediately clear how much of the airline is owned by Kirana. A Boeing spokesman said: "We are taking every measure to fully understand all aspects of this accident, and are working closely with the investigating team and all regulatory authorities involved. We are also supporting our valued customer through this very tough time." MAINTENANCE, SOFTWARE Kirana, who co-founded the airline with his brother in 2000, ordered the review of airline purchases in response to Boeing's statement last week focusing attention on piloting and maintenance topics, the person said. Boeing released the statement focusing on maintenance actions spread over four flights in the run-up to the fatal flight on October 29, after investigators issued an interim report that did not give a cause for the crash. Boeing is also examining software changes in the wake of the crash, while insisting longstanding procedures exist for pilots to cancel automated nose-down movements experienced by the 737 MAX in response to erroneous sensor readings. It has come under fire from US pilots for not mentioning the MCAS system - a modification of existing anti-stall systems - in the manual for the 737 MAX, which began service last year. "Why are they changing (software) if there was nothing wrong?" the person familiar with Kirana's thinking said. Boeing has said all information needed to fly the 737 safely is available to pilots and that its workhorse model is safe. Bankers and some analysts say Lion Air and Southeast Asian rivals over-expanded and would be comfortable with fewer orders. But the row highlights an unusually polarised dispute over the causes of the crash. Experts say most accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors and parties rarely comment in detail before the final report, which often follows a year of analysis. In its statement, Boeing recapped the interim report and listed questions on maintenance and pilot behaviour that it said remained unanswered in the 78-page document, but did not mention the MCAS modification covered in an earlier safety bulletin. It is not the first time an airline has crossed swords with its supplier after a crash. Lion Air's rival AirAsia Group Bhd clashed with Airbus SE after its Indonesian subsidiary lost an A320 in 2014. It continued to take deliveries, but relations never fully recovered and it later toyed with buying 787s from Boeing.

Lion Air ponders cancelling Boeing jets in row over crash: Sources

An Indonesia man, whose son was killed when a Lion Air flight crashed last month, has sued Boeing Co alleging that a defect in the design of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft caused it to crash.

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the father of Dr Rio Nanda Pratama, alleged that Boeing did not adequately warn Lion Air or its pilots of an unsafe design condition. Boeing is headquartered in Illinois.

Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after take-off from Jakarta on October 29, killing all 189 people on board.

Dr Pratama, of Indonesia, was flying home from a conference when the plane crashed. He was to be married this week, according to attorney Curtis Miner of the Florida-based law firm Colson Hicks Eidson, which is representing his father in the wrongful death lawsuit.

Indonesian investigators are due to publish a preliminary report on the crash later this month.

An Indonesia man, whose son was killed when a Lion Air flight crashed last month, has sued Boeing Co alleging that a defect in the design of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft caused it to crash.

An Indonesia man, whose son was killed when a Lion Air flight crashed last month, has sued Boeing Co alleging that a defect in the design of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft caused it to crash. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the father of Dr Rio Nanda Pratama, alleged that Boeing did not adequately warn Lion Air or its pilots of an unsafe design condition. Boeing is headquartered in Illinois. Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after take-off from Jakarta on October 29, killing all 189 people on board. Dr Pratama, of Indonesia, was flying home from a conference when the plane crashed. He was to be married this week, according to attorney Curtis Miner of the Florida-based law firm Colson Hicks Eidson, which is representing his father in the wrongful death lawsuit. Indonesian investigators are due to publish a preliminary report on the crash later this month.

Lion Air crash victim's father files US lawsuit against Boeing

The Indian government has released funds for the purchase and modification of two VVIP aircraft, which will be used to ferry President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu.&nbsp;

The funds have been released from the National Small Savings account.&nbsp;

Air India had actually proposed that it would ask Bank of Baroda for a short-term loan of US$ 180 million, but the funds were released from the NSS account.&nbsp;

The money will be used to purchase and modify two Boeing 777-300 ERs, which will replace the earlier 747-400.&nbsp;

The upgrade has been long overdue, with this one coming after 25 years.&nbsp;

The 777-300 ER has two GE90-115B jet engines &mdash; the world&rsquo;s most powerful. The 777-300 will also mean fewer refuelling stops for India&#39;s most important trio.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The earlier Boeing 747-400 is being replaced with a 777-300 ER

The Indian government has released funds for the purchase and modification of two VVIP aircraft, which will be used to ferry President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu. The funds have been released from the National Small Savings account. Air India had actually proposed that it would ask Bank of Baroda for a short-term loan of US$ 180 million, but the funds were released from the NSS account. The money will be used to purchase and modify two Boeing 777-300 ERs, which will replace the earlier 747-400. The upgrade has been long overdue, with this one coming after 25 years. The 777-300 ER has two GE90-115B jet engines — the world’s most powerful. The 777-300 will also mean fewer refuelling stops for India's most important trio.

Country to get new Air India One, will be used to fly Modi, Kovind and Naidu

A Reuters report said today that American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is in contention for $15 billion order to supply Indian Navy with new fighter jets.

In a surprise move, the Indian government had recently asked the Indian Air Force to open up the competition to twin-engine aircraft and to evaluate Boeing&#39;s F/A-18 Super Hornet, a defence ministry source told Reuters.

Earlier, Lockheed Martin Corp&#39;s F-16 and Saab AB&#39;s Gripen were in the race to supply single-engine jets to the Indian Air Force.

Both companies had offered to build the planes in India in collaboration with local companies as part of PM Modi&#39;s &quot;Make in India&quot; campaign.

The defence ministry plans to within weeks issue a request for information (RFI), the first stage of a procurement process, for a fighter to be built in India, Reuters report said.&nbsp;

The competition will be open to both single and twin-engine jets, an official told Reuters, but both Lockheed and Saab informed the newswire service that it had not been informed about the new requirements.

&quot;The IAF wants the RFI issued within weeks and get the process started,&quot; a source told Reuters, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. &quot;The problem is that government keeps shifting what it wants,&quot; the source added.

The defence ministry, however, declined to comment on the Air Force&#39;s aircraft modernisation programme, saying it was not in a position to do so.

Lockheed, which had offered to shift its F-16 production line in Fort Worth, Texas, to India, said it had not been told of any change to the Indian plan for single-engine fighters.

&quot;Our proposed F-16 partnership with India stands firm,&quot; the company said in an email. Last year it picked Tata Advanced Systems as its local partner and said it was in talks with dozens of firms to build up the supplier network.

&quot;The Government of India has not yet issued formal requirements but we are continuing to support government-to-government discussions and engage with Indian companies about F-16 industrial opportunities,&quot; Lockheed said.

Sweden&#39;s Saab told Reuters that it had seen reports in the Indian media but no new formal communication was put forward for the fighter jet programme.

&quot;We have seen the reports in the Indian media, but no new formal communication has been made to us regarding the fighter programme,&quot; said Rob Hewson, Saab Asia Pacific&#39;s head of communications.

&quot;The operational costs are going up with increased manpower, higher wages and general inflation. Ministry of Defence doesn&rsquo;t have the luxury to go for too many platforms despite the rapidly falling squadron strength of the Air Force,&quot; said Amber Dubey, partner and India head of aerospace and defence at global consultancy KPMG told Reuters.

In a surprise move, the Indian government had recently asked the Indian Air Force to open up the competition to twin-engine aircraft and to evaluate Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet

A Reuters report said today that American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is in contention for $15 billion order to supply Indian Navy with new fighter jets. In a surprise move, the Indian government had recently asked the Indian Air Force to open up the competition to twin-engine aircraft and to evaluate Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, a defence ministry source told Reuters. Earlier, Lockheed Martin Corp's F-16 and Saab AB's Gripen were in the race to supply single-engine jets to the Indian Air Force. Both companies had offered to build the planes in India in collaboration with local companies as part of PM Modi's "Make in India" campaign. The defence ministry plans to within weeks issue a request for information (RFI), the first stage of a procurement process, for a fighter to be built in India, Reuters report said. The competition will be open to both single and twin-engine jets, an official told Reuters, but both Lockheed and Saab informed the newswire service that it had not been informed about the new requirements. "The IAF wants the RFI issued within weeks and get the process started," a source told Reuters, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media. "The problem is that government keeps shifting what it wants," the source added. The defence ministry, however, declined to comment on the Air Force's aircraft modernisation programme, saying it was not in a position to do so. Lockheed, which had offered to shift its F-16 production line in Fort Worth, Texas, to India, said it had not been told of any change to the Indian plan for single-engine fighters. "Our proposed F-16 partnership with India stands firm," the company said in an email. Last year it picked Tata Advanced Systems as its local partner and said it was in talks with dozens of firms to build up the supplier network. "The Government of India has not yet issued formal requirements but we are continuing to support government-to-government discussions and engage with Indian companies about F-16 industrial opportunities," Lockheed said. Sweden's Saab told Reuters that it had seen reports in the Indian media but no new formal communication was put forward for the fighter jet programme. "We have seen the reports in the Indian media, but no new formal communication has been made to us regarding the fighter programme," said Rob Hewson, Saab Asia Pacific's head of communications. "The operational costs are going up with increased manpower, higher wages and general inflation. Ministry of Defence doesn’t have the luxury to go for too many platforms despite the rapidly falling squadron strength of the Air Force," said Amber Dubey, partner and India head of aerospace and defence at global consultancy KPMG told Reuters.

Boeing in contention to build new fighter jets for Indian Navy in $15 billion order: Report

Boeing Co said on Tuesday it delivered an industry-record 763 jetliners in 2017, beating European rival Airbus SE to retain the title of world&#39;s biggest plane maker.

Boeing also booked 912 net new aircraft orders worth $134.8 billion at list prices last year, compared with 668 worth about $94 billion in 2016.

Airbus was on track last month to rack up more than 1,000 gross new orders for the year, excluding cancellations, compared with the 1,053 gross orders Boeing announced on Tuesday.

The tallies confer more than just bragging rights; they show the companies&#39; ability to run factories smoothly, make sales and generate profit.

Boeing shares were up 2.9 percent at $319.16 on Tuesday afternoon. The stock has nearly doubled in the past year.

Industry sources say Airbus, which will report 2017 orders and deliveries on Jan. 15, met its target of delivering more than 700 jetliners, despite problems with Pratt &amp; Whitney &lt;UTX.N&gt; Geared Turbofan engines.

Airbus&#39; total is still unlikely to match Boeing&#39;s. The European firm cut its forecast from more than 720 jets in October due to delays in engine deliveries.

Boeing&#39;s orders and deliveries confirmed the plane maker&#39;s ability to hit rising production rates. This could mean an additional &quot;$350 million in revenues versus our forecast,&quot; said Sheila Kahyaoglu, the analyst at Jefferies.

Boeing also said airlines likely will need more aircraft in 2018, keeping production rates rising.

The company expects airlines to boost passenger capacity by 5.5 percent to 6 percent this year, Randy Tinseth, Boeing vice president of marketing, said on a conference call.

With airlines already flying full aeroplanes, more aircraft will be needed. &quot;We&#39;re expecting growth to be driven by new deliveries, not by more capability out of the existing fleet,&quot; he said.

Price targets for Boeing&#39;s stock are rising. The median is now $310 a share, up from $293.50 in October. Some targets are as high as $380. Still, 12 analysts rate it a &quot;hold&quot; compared with 13 with &quot;buy&quot; or &quot;strong buy&quot; ratings, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Meanwhile, air cargo traffic is rising, but a sustained gain could arrive too late to rescue Boeing&#39;s 747 aircraft.

Boeing has 12 backlogged orders for 747s, about two years&#39; production. Tinseth said air cargo companies are interested.

&quot;The question is when will they be in a position to buy,&quot; he said. &quot;They want to make sure that (demand is) sustained.&quot;

Boeing shares were up 2.9 percent at $319.16 on Tuesday afternoon. The stock has nearly doubled in the past year.

Boeing Co said on Tuesday it delivered an industry-record 763 jetliners in 2017, beating European rival Airbus SE to retain the title of world's biggest plane maker. Boeing also booked 912 net new aircraft orders worth $134.8 billion at list prices last year, compared with 668 worth about $94 billion in 2016. Airbus was on track last month to rack up more than 1,000 gross new orders for the year, excluding cancellations, compared with the 1,053 gross orders Boeing announced on Tuesday. The tallies confer more than just bragging rights; they show the companies' ability to run factories smoothly, make sales and generate profit. Boeing shares were up 2.9 percent at $319.16 on Tuesday afternoon. The stock has nearly doubled in the past year. Industry sources say Airbus, which will report 2017 orders and deliveries on Jan. 15, met its target of delivering more than 700 jetliners, despite problems with Pratt & Whitney <UTX.N> Geared Turbofan engines. Airbus' total is still unlikely to match Boeing's. The European firm cut its forecast from more than 720 jets in October due to delays in engine deliveries. Boeing's orders and deliveries confirmed the plane maker's ability to hit rising production rates. This could mean an additional "$350 million in revenues versus our forecast," said Sheila Kahyaoglu, the analyst at Jefferies. Boeing also said airlines likely will need more aircraft in 2018, keeping production rates rising. The company expects airlines to boost passenger capacity by 5.5 percent to 6 percent this year, Randy Tinseth, Boeing vice president of marketing, said on a conference call. With airlines already flying full aeroplanes, more aircraft will be needed. "We're expecting growth to be driven by new deliveries, not by more capability out of the existing fleet," he said. Price targets for Boeing's stock are rising. The median is now $310 a share, up from $293.50 in October. Some targets are as high as $380. Still, 12 analysts rate it a "hold" compared with 13 with "buy" or "strong buy" ratings, according to Thomson Reuters data. Meanwhile, air cargo traffic is rising, but a sustained gain could arrive too late to rescue Boeing's 747 aircraft. Boeing has 12 backlogged orders for 747s, about two years' production. Tinseth said air cargo companies are interested. "The question is when will they be in a position to buy," he said. "They want to make sure that (demand is) sustained."

Boeing delivered more Jetliners than ever in 2017

In the global aircraft market, a new serious contender has emerged - Bombardier&#39;s C-series aircraft. With the behemoth added to its stable, the Canadian manufacturer is wooing airlines for orders.

Bombardier took the aircraft on a world tour and one of the stops was India; the plane was showcased to prospective buyers at the Indira Gandhi International airport. The C-series aircraft belongs to a family of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jet airliners originally designed by Bombardier.

But its narrow design is in no way a down side. The 160-seater, single-aisle aircraft boasts of an enhanced cabin design with bigger and wider seats, larger over-head cabins and windows as well as a broader aisle. It also offers wide-body comfort in a narrow-body aircraft. The seats, too, provide more elbow room with the middle seats being 19 inches wide and aisle and window seats being 18.5 inches wide. The windows in the aircraft are as big as those on the Boeing-777, 50 per cent larger than an Airbus-320 and 26 per cent larger than a Boeing-737. This allows more natural light inside the aircraft as well as an aisle-seat occupant to enjoy the view outside better.

The aisle is roomier too, with a width of 20 inches, allowing a passenger to walk past a food trolley. The overhead storage cabins are 10 cm lower (as compared to a Boeing-737) and are opened upwards unlike most other aircraft where the lid has to be pulled down. The new design allows passengers easier access to the storage. However, lower height also means you could bump your head into it. The C-series includes two models - CS-100 and CS-300 - which burn 20 per cent less fuel than the older generation aircraft.

It consumes two litres of fuel per passenger per 100 km. The aircraft is 6,000 kilograms lighter, translating into lower fuel burn, owing to its design material. The CS-100 will compete with the Embraer E195-E2 while the CS-300 is pitted against Boeing-737 Max 7, Airbus A319neo, and Irkut MC-21-200. For the first time in a single-aisle aircraft, the wings are composite and the fuselage is made of aluminium-lithium. Therefore, it is 10 per cent lighter but 250 per cent more resistant to corrosion and 40 per cent stronger in fatigue.

These features mean that the plane requires maintenance after a longer interval. Generally, older generation aircraft require a B-check after flying for 750 hours and C-checks after 7,500 hours. But in the new C-series, the B-check are needed after 850 hours and C-checks after 8,500 hours. Thus, the aircraft spends more time in the air flying and generating more revenue for the airline as opposed to spending time on routine checks.

Bombardier currently has more than 350 orders globally for its C-series aircraft and its clients include Air Baltic, Swiss Air and Delta Air.

Bombardier's C-series includes two models - CS-100 and CS-300 - which burn 20 per cent less fuel than the older generation aircraft.

In the global aircraft market, a new serious contender has emerged - Bombardier's C-series aircraft. With the behemoth added to its stable, the Canadian manufacturer is wooing airlines for orders. Bombardier took the aircraft on a world tour and one of the stops was India; the plane was showcased to prospective buyers at the Indira Gandhi International airport. The C-series aircraft belongs to a family of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jet airliners originally designed by Bombardier. But its narrow design is in no way a down side. The 160-seater, single-aisle aircraft boasts of an enhanced cabin design with bigger and wider seats, larger over-head cabins and windows as well as a broader aisle. It also offers wide-body comfort in a narrow-body aircraft. The seats, too, provide more elbow room with the middle seats being 19 inches wide and aisle and window seats being 18.5 inches wide. The windows in the aircraft are as big as those on the Boeing-777, 50 per cent larger than an Airbus-320 and 26 per cent larger than a Boeing-737. This allows more natural light inside the aircraft as well as an aisle-seat occupant to enjoy the view outside better. The aisle is roomier too, with a width of 20 inches, allowing a passenger to walk past a food trolley. The overhead storage cabins are 10 cm lower (as compared to a Boeing-737) and are opened upwards unlike most other aircraft where the lid has to be pulled down. The new design allows passengers easier access to the storage. However, lower height also means you could bump your head into it. The C-series includes two models - CS-100 and CS-300 - which burn 20 per cent less fuel than the older generation aircraft. It consumes two litres of fuel per passenger per 100 km. The aircraft is 6,000 kilograms lighter, translating into lower fuel burn, owing to its design material. The CS-100 will compete with the Embraer E195-E2 while the CS-300 is pitted against Boeing-737 Max 7, Airbus A319neo, and Irkut MC-21-200. For the first time in a single-aisle aircraft, the wings are composite and the fuselage is made of aluminium-lithium. Therefore, it is 10 per cent lighter but 250 per cent more resistant to corrosion and 40 per cent stronger in fatigue. These features mean that the plane requires maintenance after a longer interval. Generally, older generation aircraft require a B-check after flying for 750 hours and C-checks after 7,500 hours. But in the new C-series, the B-check are needed after 850 hours and C-checks after 8,500 hours. Thus, the aircraft spends more time in the air flying and generating more revenue for the airline as opposed to spending time on routine checks. Bombardier currently has more than 350 orders globally for its C-series aircraft and its clients include Air Baltic, Swiss Air and Delta Air.

Bombardier showcases fuel efficient, lighter aircraft to take on Boeing & Airbus

Aviation&nbsp;giants, Airbus and Boeing, announced on Wednesday that they have been given a green light by the United States to sell planes to Iran Air, in what is being viewed as first such deal in decades. &nbsp; 
 
Europe-based Airbus and Chicago-based Boeing have been granted licenses from the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control following last year&#39;s nuclear accord that lifted international sanctions from the West Asian country in exchange of Iran limiting its enrichment of uranium, AFP reported.&nbsp; 
 
Both the companies have struck separate $25 million deal, media reports said.&nbsp; 
 
The deal allows the foreign aviation giants to sell or lease over 200 jets to air carrier IranAir, according to Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
The license issued to Airbus will allow sale of 17 planes, including A320s and A330s, Airbus spokesman Justin Dubon was quoted as saying by the news agency Associated Press.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The move comes along the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and signals US President Barack Obama honouring the terms of the nuclear accord. &nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the deal, which has been touted as an &#39;international achievement&#39; by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. is likely to bolster Iran&#39;s economy that had been paralysed by international sanctions.&nbsp; 
 
Opposition from Republicans 
 
United States Republicans have condemned the deal saying that jets could be misused by Iran for military purposes, international news agency Reuters reported today.&nbsp; 
 
The Republicans lashed out at the Obama administration for its favourable policies towards Iran.&nbsp; 
 
Speaker of the US House of Representatives said the administration &ldquo;bended over backwards&rdquo; to help Iran.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The move follows last year's nuclear accord that lifted sanctions from Iran in exchange of Iran limiting its enrichment of uranium

Aviation giants, Airbus and Boeing, announced on Wednesday that they have been given a green light by the United States to sell planes to Iran Air, in what is being viewed as first such deal in decades. Europe-based Airbus and Chicago-based Boeing have been granted licenses from the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control following last year's nuclear accord that lifted international sanctions from the West Asian country in exchange of Iran limiting its enrichment of uranium, AFP reported. Both the companies have struck separate $25 million deal, media reports said. The deal allows the foreign aviation giants to sell or lease over 200 jets to air carrier IranAir, according to Reuters. The license issued to Airbus will allow sale of 17 planes, including A320s and A330s, Airbus spokesman Justin Dubon was quoted as saying by the news agency Associated Press. The move comes along the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and signals US President Barack Obama honouring the terms of the nuclear accord. Meanwhile, the deal, which has been touted as an 'international achievement' by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. is likely to bolster Iran's economy that had been paralysed by international sanctions. Opposition from Republicans United States Republicans have condemned the deal saying that jets could be misused by Iran for military purposes, international news agency Reuters reported today. The Republicans lashed out at the Obama administration for its favourable policies towards Iran. Speaker of the US House of Representatives said the administration “bended over backwards” to help Iran. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Aviation giants Airbus, Boeing get US green signal to sell aircraft to Iran

India has signed a billion-dollar deal with Boeing to buy four maritime surveillance planes, defence and aviation sources said Wednesday, as it looks to counter China in the Indian Ocean. 
 
The deal for four P-8I aircraft follows India&#39;s earlier purchase of eight of the planes from the American aerospace giant in 2009. 
 
&quot;The deal has been signed. The delivery dates are being worked out,&quot; a defence ministry source told AFP, adding that the deal was worth more than a billion dollars. 
 
India has already deployed its original eight long-range P-8I aircraft to track submarine movements in the Indian Ocean. 
 
The navy is looking to beef up its fleet to strengthen its capabilities against submarines and surface ships. 
 
&quot;India has a vast maritime border and these planes are meant for long-range surveillance,&quot; a Boeing official told AFP, adding that a clause in the earlier agreement provided for New Delhi to purchase four more planes. 
 
&quot;The navy will likely deploy them in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal to counter Chinese influence in the seas,&quot; the official said. 
 
India, the world&#39;s number one defence importer, is in the midst of a multi-billion dollar upgrade of its Soviet-era military hardware. 
 
The country has signed several big-ticket defence deals since Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power in 2014. 
 
Other deals have been mired in bureaucratic wrangles, however, notably the agreement to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France&#39;s Dassault Aviation which has been pending since 2012. 
 
Modi&#39;s government has raised the limit on foreign investment in the defence sector and encouraged tie-ups between foreign and local companies. 
 
Modi has also called for the manufacturing of defence equipment locally and cut down reliance on expensive imports. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The P-8I Poseidons will help India bolster its navy as New Delhi tries to check China's presence in the Indian Ocean

India has signed a billion-dollar deal with Boeing to buy four maritime surveillance planes, defence and aviation sources said Wednesday, as it looks to counter China in the Indian Ocean. The deal for four P-8I aircraft follows India's earlier purchase of eight of the planes from the American aerospace giant in 2009. "The deal has been signed. The delivery dates are being worked out," a defence ministry source told AFP, adding that the deal was worth more than a billion dollars. India has already deployed its original eight long-range P-8I aircraft to track submarine movements in the Indian Ocean. The navy is looking to beef up its fleet to strengthen its capabilities against submarines and surface ships. "India has a vast maritime border and these planes are meant for long-range surveillance," a Boeing official told AFP, adding that a clause in the earlier agreement provided for New Delhi to purchase four more planes. "The navy will likely deploy them in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal to counter Chinese influence in the seas," the official said. India, the world's number one defence importer, is in the midst of a multi-billion dollar upgrade of its Soviet-era military hardware. The country has signed several big-ticket defence deals since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power in 2014. Other deals have been mired in bureaucratic wrangles, however, notably the agreement to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation which has been pending since 2012. Modi's government has raised the limit on foreign investment in the defence sector and encouraged tie-ups between foreign and local companies. Modi has also called for the manufacturing of defence equipment locally and cut down reliance on expensive imports. (AFP)

India orders 4 more maritime spy planes from Boeing worth $1 billion

Iran and US aerospace giant Boeing have reached a deal for the purchase of 100 aircraft to renew the country&#39;s ageing fleet, the head of Tehran&#39;s civil aviation authority announced today. 
 
&quot;We have 250 planes in the country, 230 need to be replaced,&quot; said Ali Abedzadeh, the head of the civil aviation body, adding that the deal still needed approval from the US government. 
 
(AFP)

Iran and US aerospace giant Boeing have reached a deal for the purchase of 100 aircraft to renew the country's ageing fleet, the head of Tehran's civil aviation authority announced today. "We have 250 planes in the country, 230 need to be replaced," said Ali Abedzadeh, the head of the civil aviation body, adding that the deal still needed approval from the US government. (AFP)

Iran, Boeing reach deal on purchase of 100 planes: Tehran

The who&#39;s who of America Inc, including e-commerce giant Amazon&#39;s Jeff Bezos, PepsiCo&#39;s Indra Nooyi, Boeing&#39;s Mark Allen and Lockheed Martin&#39;s Marillyn Hewson, attended the roundtable held at Central Green Room Gallery of Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. 
 
Bezos announced that his company will invest an additional $3 billion in India, Amazon&#39;s fastest growing region. This will boost Amazon&#39;s committed investment in India to over $5 billion. 
 
Foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a tweet that Modi invited the US business leaders &quot;to work more closely with India and in India&quot;. 
 
The Prime Minister also &quot;outlined strengths of Indian economy and its talented workforce,&quot; Swarup posted on Twitter. 
 
US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and several top Indian business leaders were also present at the meeting. 
 
Earlier in the day, Modi held a closed-door meeting with Obama during which they discussed significant issues of bilateral interests. 
 
Prior to the US, the Indian prime minister visited Afghanistan, Qatar and Switzerland on his five-nation tour aimed at expanding India&#39;s trade, energy and security cooperation. He will end his tour in Mexico.

Amazon's founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced that the e-commerce giant will invest an additional $3 billion in India

The who's who of America Inc, including e-commerce giant Amazon's Jeff Bezos, PepsiCo's Indra Nooyi, Boeing's Mark Allen and Lockheed Martin's Marillyn Hewson, attended the roundtable held at Central Green Room Gallery of Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Bezos announced that his company will invest an additional $3 billion in India, Amazon's fastest growing region. This will boost Amazon's committed investment in India to over $5 billion. Foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a tweet that Modi invited the US business leaders "to work more closely with India and in India". The Prime Minister also "outlined strengths of Indian economy and its talented workforce," Swarup posted on Twitter. US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and several top Indian business leaders were also present at the meeting. Earlier in the day, Modi held a closed-door meeting with Obama during which they discussed significant issues of bilateral interests. Prior to the US, the Indian prime minister visited Afghanistan, Qatar and Switzerland on his five-nation tour aimed at expanding India's trade, energy and security cooperation. He will end his tour in Mexico.

Indian PM Modi meets top US CEOs in Washington

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