Gurugram: Air India confirmed on Monday that it has placed an order to purchase 100 more Airbus aircraft, including 10 widebody A350s and 90 narrowbody A320s, including A321neos.

These 100 new aircraft are in addition to the firm orders of 470 aircraft that Air India had placed with Airbus and Boeing last year.

The airline said the latest order brings the total number of aircraft that Air India ordered with Airbus in 2023 from 250 aircraft, comprising 40 A350 and 210 A320 Family aircraft, to 350.

Air India also announced it had selected Airbus’ Flight Hour Services-Component (FHS-C) to support the maintenance requirements of its growing A350 fleet.

The new materials and maintenance contract will help Air India optimise the reliability and performance of its A350 fleet with comprehensive engineering services and integrated component services, including on-site stock at Delhi provided by Airbus.

Tata Sona and Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said: “With India’s passenger growth outpacing the rest of the world…These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help to position Air India on the path to greater growth and contribute to building Air India into a world-class airline that connects India to every corner of the world.”

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said: “Having personally witnessed the formidable growth of the Indian aviation sector in recent months, I am glad to see Air India renew its trust in Airbus with this additional order for both our A320 Family and A350 aircraft.”

With the order for 100 additional aircraft, Air India currently has a total of 344 new aircraft incoming from Airbus, having received six A350s so far.

Air India also placed orders with Boeing for 220 widebody and narrowbody aircraft in 2023, of which 185 remain to be delivered.

Air India is the first Indian airline to operate the Airbus A350, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. The airline said that delivering exceptional fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and long-range capabilities, the A350s now offer an all-new Air India flying experience to travellers flying non-stop from Delhi to London and New York. The Air India statement added that the A320 Family fleet, powered by CFM LEAP 1-A engines, is a backbone of Air India’s domestic and short-haul operations, delivering world-class flying experiences, remarkable operational efficiency, and flight economics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

–IANS