Air India, the national carrier of India, has announced its plans to expand its fleet by acquiring 100 additional Airbus aircraft, including A320 and A321neo planes. This move is aimed at enhancing the airline’s capacity and services, particularly for its premium and business class passengers.
The new fleet will be delivered over the next few years, with the first batch of 20 aircraft expected to arrive in the first half of 2023. The remaining 80 planes will be delivered subsequently, taking the airline’s total fleet size to over 220 aircraft.
The A320 and A321neo planes will offer enhanced comfort, spacious cabins, and increased legroom, making them ideal for long-haul flights. The aircraft will also feature advanced technology, including state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems, high-speed Wi-Fi, and power sockets.
Air India’s decision to expand its fleet is expected to have a positive impact on its business class services. The additional aircraft will enable the airline to offer more flights, increased frequencies, and improved schedules, making it more competitive in the market. The airline is also expected to pay greater attention to premium services, including fine dining, premium bedding, and priority check-in and baggage handling.
The expansion is also seen as a strategic move to counter the growth of rival airlines, such as Vistara and IndiGo, which have been rapidly expanding their fleets. By increasing its capacity and modernizing its fleet, Air India aims to regain its position as a major player in the Indian aviation market.
The deal with Airbus is seen as a landmark moment for Air India, marking the airline’s first major acquisition of new aircraft in several years. The airline has been making significant efforts to modernize its fleet and improve services, having already received several new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus in recent years.
The expansion is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, not just for pilots and cabin crew but also for ground staff and maintenance personnel. The airline has already started recruiting new staff to support the expansion, and the new aircraft are expected to be staffed by over 1,000 new employees.
Overall, the acquisition of 100 new Airbus aircraft is a significant milestone for Air India, marking a major step towards its goal of becoming a leading international airline. The expansion is expected to boost the airline’s reputation, increase its capacity, and provide enhanced services to customers, particularly in the increasingly competitive Indian aviation market.