=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/12/08/f= inancial1543EST0221.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, December 8, 2004 (AP) Air India board approves Boeing airplane purchase (12-08) 13:59 PST SEATTLE (AP) -- The board of Air India's charter airplane operation has approved a plan = to acquire 18 Boeing airplanes in a deal that could be worth more than $1 billion at list prices. In a statement Tuesday, Air India Charters Limited's board of directors said they had approved the plan to buy 18 twin-engine, narrow body 737-800s for use by the company's Air India Express subsidiary. Air India said the deal has now been submitted for government approval. Todd Blecher, a spokesman for Chicago-based Boeing Co., said Wednesday it wasn't clear when the deal might be finalized. The purchase would be worth up to $1.25 billion at list prices, although airlines typically negotiate steep discounts. On Wednesday, Boeing shares slipped 95 cents, or 1.8 percent, to close at $52.80 on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $38.04 to $55.48. On the Net: www.boeing.com www.airindia.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP