Air India, the previously state-owned airline now under the ownership of the Indian conglomerate Tata, is reportedly negotiating to acquire additional aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing, as reported by Reuters, a worldwide news agency.
The airline intends to acquire as many as 300 aircraft, according to sources familiar with the situation who shared this information with the global news agency. The order may encompass 80 to 100 wide-body jets, including models like the Boeing 787, Boeing 777, or the Airbus A350.
Nevertheless, there has been no validation of this information from any of the parties involved in the discussions. The news report cited Airbus stating that “it does not comment on private discussions with clients,” while both Air India and Boeing remained silent regarding any comments.
It also remains uncertain how many of the 300 aircraft Air India plans to order will be firm commitments and how many will be options derived from earlier orders. On a global scale, airlines typically place firm orders for aircraft deliveries from Airbus and Boeing, with the possibility of requesting additional aircraft as the delivery dates draw nearer. This is due to the increasing challenges of acquiring aircraft globally.
India is leading the way in global aircraft orders.
In June 2023, IndiGo made headlines with a groundbreaking order for 500 Airbus A320 family aircraft, marking the largest single order in the history of commercial aviation. This order features a combination of A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR aircraft, with deliveries expected between 2030 and 2035. This considerable order aims to ensure a continuous supply of new planes for the upcoming decade and bolster the airline’s long-term expansion plans, particularly for its international network.
Shortly thereafter, Air India entered into agreements with Boeing and Airbus, securing the purchase of 470 aircraft from both manufacturers, further advancing its $70 billion (based on list prices) fleet expansion initiative announced in February of this year.
Air India’s confirmed orders comprise 34 A350-1000, six A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and 10 Boeing 777X wide-body aircraft, along with 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo, and 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft.
At that time, then-US President Joe Biden remarked, “This (Air India’s aircraft order) purchase will sustain over one million American jobs across 44 states, many of which will not necessitate a four-year college degree.”
In November 2021, during the Dubai Air Show, Akasa Air made its inaugural order for 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It subsequently followed this with an order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which included 100 MAX 10s and 50 MAX 200s in January 2024.
All these aircraft orders have resulted in India securing the highest number of aircraft orders globally, totaling over 1200 in a single year, surpassing the orders made by any other country worldwide.
The latest proposed order from Air India arises as the airline aims to broaden its reach
The proposed order by Air India reflects its intention to grow both nationally and internationally. Domestically, the airline is set to introduce over 170 new flights, including routes like Delhi-Jaipur (three times daily) and Delhi-Jaisalmer (twice daily). Furthermore, it plans to boost the frequency of flights from Delhi to Udaipur from twice daily to three times a day. All these flights connect the Indian capital to Rajasthan, a region characterized by its desert landscape.
Moreover, the Mumbai-Jaipur service will rise from three to four flights daily, as will the Mumbai-Udaipur route. Additionally, the Mumbai-Jodhpur flight will shift from once daily to twice daily. These adjustments will be implemented starting October 26.
The retrofitting of legacy Airbus A320neo aircraft is set to be finalized this month
The airline has also revealed that its retrofit initiative for legacy Airbus A320neo planes, which commenced in September 2024, is approaching its completion this month. Out of 27 legacy A320neo aircraft, 26 have been upgraded with entirely new cabin interiors that offer three classes: Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Together with other modern single-aisle aircraft, Air India now boasts over 100 A320 Family planes featuring world-class cabin interiors, significantly enhancing the travel experience across more than 80 domestic and short-haul international routes.
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