NEW DELHI: Air India’s historic order for 470 aircraft – 400 single aisles and 70 wide bodies – is actually much larger – at 840 aircraft and will be able to ‘connect India non-stop to all major cities in the world’ “. AI’s chief commercial and transformation officer, Nipun Aggarwal, one of the ley architects of this order, said that “the order includes 470 fixed aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be acquired by Airbus and Boeing over the next decade.” . An option, granted when a firm order is placed for an aircraft, allows an airline to purchase additional aircraft in the future at an agreed price and date.
The 840 figure takes into account the need to phase out the aging fleet of AIs whose poor interiors have over the years been a major pain point for passengers. In its later years as a state-owned airline, AI suffered from any lack of investment in maintaining cabin interiors.
To tell the truth, even the firm order for 470 aircraft will be delivered in the next 7-8 years. Once a sizeable number of them join the fleet, the AI can retire its older aircraft when the time comes to convert options into a firm order to ensure the fleet remains stable. Being more fuel efficient, a young fleet is a key requirement for profitability.
“It is truly a seminal moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation. This order for 840 aircraft was the culmination of a fascinating journey that began nearly two years ago with the privatization process of Air India. The order includes 470 fixed aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be acquired by Airbus and Boeing over the next decade. The firm order from Airbus includes 210 A-320/321 Neo / XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. Boeing’s firm order includes 190 737-Max, 20 787 and 10 777. We have also signed long-term engine maintenance agreements with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace,” Aggarwal said on social media. .
“This order demonstrates Tata Group’s vision and aspiration to transform Air India into a world class airline and to connect India ‘Non-Stop’ to all major cities of the world. This order is also a testament to the huge economic potential unleashed by the privatization of Air India,” he added.
He thanked the airline’s Chief Executive Campbell Wilson, Captain COO RS Sandhu, CTO Arun Kashyap and their teams for their support during this campaign. “A big thank you and forever grateful to Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Group CFO Saurabh Agrawal for setting a high aspiration for Air India by entrusting the team with this opportunity and for tremendous guidance and support throughout the process,” he added. .
The 840 figure takes into account the need to phase out the aging fleet of AIs whose poor interiors have over the years been a major pain point for passengers. In its later years as a state-owned airline, AI suffered from any lack of investment in maintaining cabin interiors.
To tell the truth, even the firm order for 470 aircraft will be delivered in the next 7-8 years. Once a sizeable number of them join the fleet, the AI can retire its older aircraft when the time comes to convert options into a firm order to ensure the fleet remains stable. Being more fuel efficient, a young fleet is a key requirement for profitability.
“It is truly a seminal moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation. This order for 840 aircraft was the culmination of a fascinating journey that began nearly two years ago with the privatization process of Air India. The order includes 470 fixed aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be acquired by Airbus and Boeing over the next decade. The firm order from Airbus includes 210 A-320/321 Neo / XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. Boeing’s firm order includes 190 737-Max, 20 787 and 10 777. We have also signed long-term engine maintenance agreements with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace,” Aggarwal said on social media. .
“This order demonstrates Tata Group’s vision and aspiration to transform Air India into a world class airline and to connect India ‘Non-Stop’ to all major cities of the world. This order is also a testament to the huge economic potential unleashed by the privatization of Air India,” he added.
He thanked the airline’s Chief Executive Campbell Wilson, Captain COO RS Sandhu, CTO Arun Kashyap and their teams for their support during this campaign. “A big thank you and forever grateful to Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Group CFO Saurabh Agrawal for setting a high aspiration for Air India by entrusting the team with this opportunity and for tremendous guidance and support throughout the process,” he added. .
