Air India is about to place a large order of aircraft to renew its fleet. The Indian company is expected to initially order 50 Airbus A350s to replace its current Boeing 777s.
Together, the Indian company wants to exchange its A320ceo family aircraft for 100 A321neo model aircraft, including some A321XLR, the longer range version that allows nonstop flights of up to 8700 km.
Fleet renewal is another step taken by the industrial conglomerate Tata Group, which bought Air India from the government, to optimize the company's operations, reducing fuel and maintenance costs. The company also operates 27 Boeing 787-8 aircraft and another 27 A320neo, the newest in its fleet and which will be maintained.
The company has also communicated to some pilots that they will be trained to operate the Airbus A350. The first planes will arrive in the first half of 2023. See below:
“Air India is in the process of augmenting its existing fleet with the A350 aircraft type upon entry into service. You are asked to accept your willingness to participate in conversion training on the A350 aircraft.”, said a memo sent to pilots.
This early delivery of the aircraft is possible because the airline is eyeing aircraft already built for Russian airline Aeroflot, which Airbus was unable to deliver due to sanctions.
Air India currently has around 115 aircraft in service, and this double order could represent a significant expansion of its fleet, as demand increases in the Indian market.
Air India's last aircraft order was in 2006, when it placed orders for the purchase of 111 aircraft, 68 from Boeing and 43 from Airbus. Deliveries were made over the next 12 years.
Street: Bloomberg
