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Air India, the airline owned by Tata Group, has taken a major stride in its fleet expansion program by signing purchase agreements for the acquisition of a staggering 470 aircraft from two leading aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing. This move solidifies Air India's commitment to its $70-billion fleet expansion plan, which was initially announced in February of this year. The purchase agreements were officially inked on the sidelines of the prestigious Paris Air Show.
Air India's order includes a diverse range of aircraft models, with 34 A350-1000, six A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and 10 Boeing 777X widebody planes comprising the long-haul fleet. Additionally, the airline has placed orders for 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo, and 190 Boeing 737MAX narrowbody aircraft to bolster its short-haul operations.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone achievement, stating that it positions Air India for long-term growth and success. He expressed hope that this expansion will showcase the very best of modern aviation to the world.
Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD of Air India, emphasized the airline's ambitious fleet renewal and expansion program. He revealed that within the next five years, Air India aims to operate the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft across its entire route network. Wilson expressed pride in collaborating with all their partners to rebuild Air India as a global airline that reflects India's growing confidence on the international stage.
To support Air India in this significant endeavor, Satair, an Airbus company, and Boeing Global Services will provide a wide range of solutions including parts and maintenance provisioning, digital applications, and modification services.
The Airbus A350 is set to lead the deliveries of the new aircraft, with initial arrivals scheduled for later this year. The bulk of the order is expected to be delivered from mid-2025 onwards, facilitating Air India's expansion plans. In fact, the airline has already commenced taking delivery of 11 leased B777 and 25 A320 aircraft to expedite its fleet and network expansion.
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus, expressed excitement about being a key partner in Air India's reinvention. He acknowledged the ambitious nature of the project, considering it one of the most remarkable endeavors in the airline business today. Scherer further stated that the advanced capabilities, comfort, and range of Airbus' latest generation aircraft will contribute to Air India's transformation as a world-class premium carrier.
Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, highlighted the fuel efficiency and sustainable power that the next-generation airplanes, including the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner, and 777X, will bring to Air India's future fleet. With India being the world's fastest-growing commercial aviation market, these aircraft will play a crucial role in Air India's operations.
This significant development by Air India comes on the heels of budget carrier IndiGo's announcement of a firm order for 500 narrow-body planes from Airbus. Notably, this order is the largest-ever aircraft order placed with Airbus by any airline. IndiGo's order book includes a mix of A320 NEO, A321 NEO, and A321 XLR aircraft.
With these monumental purchases, Air India and IndiGo are set to reshape India's aviation landscape, further strengthening their positions as leading carriers in the region and reinforcing the country's global aviation presence.
