Air India Expands Airbus Order With 100 Additional Aircraft, Strengthens Fleet Modernization

Air India announced on Monday that it has placed an order for 100 additional Airbus aircraft, comprising 10 widebody A350s and 90 narrowbody A320 Family planes, including the A321neo.

This new order supplements the airline’s prior firm orders for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, taking the total number of Airbus planes ordered by Air India in 2023 to 350, up from the initial 250.

Details of the Expanded Order:

• Widebody Aircraft: 10 Airbus A350s for long-haul international routes.
• Narrowbody Aircraft: 90 A320 Family aircraft, supporting domestic and regional operations.
• Maintenance Support: Air India has also partnered with Airbus’ Flight Hour Services-Component (FHS-C) to ensure optimal reliability and performance of its A350 fleet.

Strategic Significance:

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, highlighted the role of the order in addressing India’s rapid passenger growth and connecting the nation globally.

“These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help position Air India for greater growth and contribute to our mission of building a world-class airline,” Chandrasekaran said.

Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, expressed commitment to Air India’s transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, under Tata’s leadership, noting India’s burgeoning aviation market.

Air India’s Fleet Transformation:

• A350 Fleet: Air India is the first Indian airline to operate the Airbus A350, featuring Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines for superior fuel efficiency and long-range capability.
  • Currently operates six A350s on routes such as Delhi to London and New York.
• A320 Family Aircraft: Core to Air India’s domestic and short-haul routes, powered by CFM LEAP 1-A engines for operational efficiency.

Air India’s 2023 Orders Overview:

1. Airbus:
   • Total of 344 aircraft (including the latest order for 100).
2. Boeing:
   • Orders placed for 220 aircraft, with 185 still to be delivered.

Future Vision:

This expansion aligns with Tata Group’s ambitions for Air India to establish itself as a global leader in aviation. The airline’s fleet renewal is set to modernize operations, enhance passenger experiences, and meet the demands of India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.