Following the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) in February 2023, Air India has announced that it has now firmed up its order for 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing.
Airbus
Air India has firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft. These include 140 A320neos, A321neos, 34 A350-1000s and 6 A350-900s. Air India will be counting on Airbus to help ensure the highest level of fleet availability with the Integrated Materials Solutions (IMS) from Satair, an Airbus company. The Airbus-powered maintenance solution will ensure that every time the airline needs a rotable or a consumable part, it is readily available and stocks are automatically replenished. And in its transformation and digitalisation journey, Air India will be the launch customer for Airbus’ Skywise Core X3, the latest and most advanced aviation analytics platform.
Our ambitious fleet renewal and expansion programme will see Air India operate the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft across our route network within five years. We are proud to be working with all our partners, including Airbus, in this journey to rebuild a global airline which reflects India taking a more confident posture around the world.
said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India.
Air India will take delivery of the first of 6 A350-900s by the end of the year.
We are excited to be a key partner in the renaissance of the Flying Maharaja. Under the leadership of the Tata Group and a focussed new management, this is one of the most ambitious projects in the airline business today. We are proud that the efficiencies, comfort and range capability offered by our latest generation aircraft will contribute to the process, as Air India reclaims its rightful position as a world-class premium carrier. The Airbus services package is a perfect future-oriented choice that will form a core element of Air India’s transformation.
said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus.
Boeing
Air India has also firmed up its order for 220 Boeing aircraft, including options for 50 more. These include 190 Boeing B737MAXs, 20 B787 Dreamliners and 10 B777X aircraft, with options for 50 additional B737MAXs and 20 B787s.
Boeing Global Services will support Air India with a broad range of solutions, including parts provisioning, digital applications, training programs and modification services.
Our relationship with Boeing includes both airplanes and services, that will support our requirements for fleet expansion and continuous improvement in operational efficiency for decades to come. As we plan for transformative growth in the years ahead, the services provided by Boeing will be an essential part of our efforts to improve reliability, on-time performance and customer satisfaction.
said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India.
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Different Boeing services included in the agreement are:
- Digital Solutions: The ability to quickly assess and implement changes to crew scheduling while keeping a stable and cost-efficient operation is crucial to Air India’s growth. To ensure accurate crew planning to support current needs and future expansion requirements, the airline is adopting several Jeppesen crew management solutions: Crew Rostering, Crew Pairing, and the Boeing Alertness Model to improve operational stability and reduce crew-related costs.
- Parts: Boeing Global Services will provide comprehensive managed parts programs for Air India, including the B787 landing gear exchange program, which guarantees availability of landing gear shipsets wherever and whenever they are needed.
- Training Solutions: Boeing will train Air India pilots on the B737MAX with Boeing’s competency-based training and assessment program on-site in New Delhi.
- Modifications services: Boeing will support Air India as it undertakes comprehensive interiors upgrades for its existing B787 fleet.
We greatly appreciate Air India’s confidence in our products and services. We look forward to supporting them by ensuring their current and future fleet flies safely, sustainably, and efficiently.
said Stephanie Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boeing Global Services.
Both Airbus and Boeing held a signing ceremony with Air India today at the ongoing Paris Air Show 2023. Officials from both the aircraft manufacturers along with Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India and N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group were present during the two separate ceremonies.
To know more about Air India’s plans regarding fleet expansion, do read this article “Air India’s 470 aircraft order: A deep dive” which I wrote in February 2023.
In other news, IndiGo created history yesterday when it placed the single largest order for 500 Airbus aircraft in the history of commercial aviation.
Featured image by Airbus and Boeing
What do you think of Air India firming up its order for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft? Let me know in the comments section below.
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