Air India Boosts Fleet with 100 Additional Airbus Planes
Air India, owned by Tata Group, has disclosed its role behind a significant Airbus order for 100 aircraft, comprising 10 A350-900s and 90 A320neo family planes. This announcement, made on December 9, 2024, supplements an earlier massive order from 2023, which included 40 A350s and 210 A320neo family aircraft. This strategic expansion brings Air India’s total Airbus order to 344 aircraft, underscoring its ambitious fleet modernization program initiated under Tata’s ownership since October 2021.
The recent acquisition, part of the Airbus 2024 orderbook, enhances Air India’s operational capacity across domestic, regional, and international routes. Six of the A350-900s from the order have already been delivered, marking a significant step in updating the carrier’s widebody fleet. In conjunction with these aircraft acquisitions, Air India has also embraced Airbus’ Flight Hour Services-Component (FHS-C) for its A350 fleet, aiming to boost efficiency and reliability.
The FHS-C package, a comprehensive maintenance service, allows Air India to operate with a fixed hourly-rate payment for material and maintenance. This service will provide the airline with integrated component services including onsite stock in Delhi, access to regional Airbus spare pools, and extensive repair and engineering services. By adopting FHS-C, Air India ensures enhanced aircraft availability and reduced operating costs, vital for its competitive edge in the rapidly growing aviation sector.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group and Air India, highlighted the rationale behind the expansion, citing India’s leading passenger growth rates, improving infrastructure, and an increasingly global young population. “These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help position Air India on the path to greater growth and contribute to our mission of building Air India into a world-class airline that connects India to every corner of the world,” Chandrasekaran stated.
Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, expressed enthusiasm about continuing Airbus’ partnership with Air India. “Having personally witnessed the formidable growth of the Indian aviation sector in recent months, I am glad to see Air India renew its trust in Airbus with this additional order for both our A320 Family and A350 aircraft,” said Faury. He emphasized Airbus’ commitment to supporting Air India’s transformative “Vihaan.AI” plan under Tata’s leadership.
Air India initiated its A350 operations in January 2024, introducing the Airbus widebody aircraft into the Indian market. It currently utilizes these aircraft on flagship long-haul routes to London-Heathrow and New York-JFK. Beyond the new widebodies, Air India’s fleet includes 101 A320neos, 14 A321neos, and 30 older generation A320 family aircraft, reflecting the scale and diversity of its operational resources.
As Air India continues to modernize its fleet and expand its service capabilities, these latest acquisitions from Airbus are set to play a crucial role in the airline’s strategy to enhance connectivity and service quality on a global scale. This move is expected to strengthen Air India’s position as a leading player in the international aviation market, aligning with India’s broader aviation growth trajectory.
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