AIR INDIA CREATES HISTORY WITH ITS ORDER OF 500 AIRCRAFTS

US President Joe Biden described the agreement as 'historic'. The importance is significant and interest is global when PM Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, and Air India MD & CEO, Campbell Wilson attends the virtual event to announce the mega order of aircraft by Air India. -Vishal Kashyap

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Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, "Air India is more than a project. It is a national initiative. There are a lot of expectations. We are undergoing a significant transformation because we are dedicated to building a world-class airline known for safety, on-time performance, the best of Indian hospitality, a modern fleet, and a wholesome experience for every passenger, whether they are in the first or last row."

The intentions were very clear for the salt to airline conglomerate TATA's that if Air India has to bounce back and rule the Indian sky they need to rework on the process with strategic expansion on all fronts. To address its revamp strategy, Air India unveiled a transformation plan called 'Vihaan.Al' in September 2022. The new plan guided the comprehensive multi-stage revival roadmap to catapult Air India into a world-class airline and claim at least 30% market share in the domestic market in the next five years. Working on the Vihaan. Al model, Air India in February 2023 signed letter of Intent with Airbus & Boeing to acquire modern fleet with joint order of 540 aircrafts. This number of aircraft order has marked a new era in the aviation industry across the globe. Air India has made the firm order of 470 aircraft out of 500, with the remaining 70 being options with Boeing that Air India can exercise in the future. The 470 planes include 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing planes, the first of which will arrive by second half of 2023.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said, "The first aircraft to arrive will be 25 brand-new Boeing B737-800s and six Airbus A350900s in the second half of 2023, with deliveries really ramping up in 2025 and beyond. Meanwhile, "our capacity growth will be supported by the previously announced lease-in of additional narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, as well as the restoration-to service of the remainder of our grounded fleet."