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- Published: February 15, 2023 15:16
New Delhi: With India’s flagship air carrier Air India, led by Tata Group, sealing the world’s biggest aircraft deal ever, the airline has drawn world’s focus on its operations and wide-ranging plans to expand its business exponentially, across the globe.
The record-breaking deal by the airline is not just the biggest aircraft order in Indian aviation history but also in the world. A mammoth aircraft deal to this effect was done in 2011, when American Airlines placed an order for 460 planes.
The Tata Sons-owned airlines has inked pact with world’s airline majors like France’s Airbus & America’s Boeing for delivering 470 aircrafts over a period of time.
According to official statement, the order comprised of 210 Airbus A320/321 Neos and 190 Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle aircraft and the rest as widebody aircraft including 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777-9s.
The single-aisle aircrafts or narrow-body planes will be powered by engines from CFM International while the likes of jumbo/wide-body aircrafts will be powered by Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace engines.
Colossal deal for Air India’s global presence
Reports suggest that the colossal deal was in the making for a year and Tatas maintained it as a low-key affair despite driving one of the hardest bargain with the aviation majors.
The record breaking deal will give the India’s flagship carrier a head-start and also work as force-multiplier while the airline assiduously works towards expanding its global footprints. With this game-changer step, the airline will join the select league of global carriers, whose operations transcend many nations & continents.
Air India’s order of nearly 500 jets comprise mostly of narrow aircrafts and they will seek to grab lion’s share of domestic air travel. The wider ones will target the US & European markets and will seek to cater to huge base of Indian diaspora.
Modernization of AI fleet
When the Tatas acquired the beleagured national carrier, the conglomerate had declared its plans to retire the ageing fleet and acquired newer ones for modernity & comfy flying experience. The airline is looking at a five-year plan to modernize its fleet.
The mammoth order of 470 aircrafts by Tata Group shows its desire & ambition to achieve pole position in the aviation market, not just domestically but also globally.
Tata Group chairman also said in a statement that the deal with help Air India ‘dramatically’ expand its network.
Delivery of new aircrafts, begins this year
According to official statement, the Tata Group will acquire first new aircraft towards the end of this year. A couple of new aircrafts will join the airline this year while the bulk orders will start arriving in mid-2015.
Meanwhile, Air India is also acquiring leased B777 and A320 aircrafts to accelerate its fleet & operations.
