Speaking on the occasion of arrival of new Boeing and Airbus Aircraft and launch of Freighter Aircraft Operations by Air India and Indian here recently, Dr Singh said that he was confident that Air India will once again regain its reputation of being one of the world's best airlines.

Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia were among those present on the occasion.

Indian Air Force (IAF) Su 30 MKI jets gave a ceremonial escort to the Air India aircraft for their landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here.

Dr Manmohan Singh said that the market for air travel and air cargo was expanding rapidly and the country had recorded a seachange over the last 3 to 4 years. The opening up of the skies has created new market opportunities for civil aviation business in our country.

"I take pride in the fact that our Government has taken steps to bring to an end a long period of neglect of our national carriers. I compliment my colleague Mr Praful Patel and the present leadership of Air India and Indian Airlines for their important forward looking and innovative role.

"Over the last several decades, both Air India and Indian Airlines have rendered great service to our nation - both commercially and in providing logistic support for national efforts in diverse fields. There was a time when Air India was regarded as one of the world's best airlines. I am sure that Air India will once again regain that reputation."

He pointed out that as there was a shortage of aircraft, his Government took "decisive steps to address this particular problem."

"Within a short period of about one year we were able to place orders for 43 Airbus aircraft for Indian Airlines and 68 Boeing aircraft for Air India. This has been, I am told,by far the largest procurement of aircraft by any airline in our country and should match up to the airlines' requirements in the domestic sector, regional sectors as well as long-haul international sectors.

"The sense of enthusiasm, the sense of excitement and indeed an element of euphoria that these new aircraft have brought to the two airlines is indeed heart-warming and very satisfying. I hope they will rekindle the lost élan of these two national carriers. New aircraft and new terminals are only the new hardware of your business. New management styles, better service quality and more focused customer care are the more valuable elements of your business."