Air India is making a significant investment in response to the increasing demand for mobility in India, driven by the expanding middle class. The airline is placing orders for 470 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, reflecting the growing need for air travel in the country.

Air India’s Purchase of 290 Boeing Aircraft

Among these orders, Air India is purchasing 290 Boeing aircraft worth $34 billion, which includes 190 737 Max planes, 20 of Boeing’s 787s, and 10 of its 777Xs. The purchase also includes options for an additional 50 737 MAXs and 20 of its 787s, bringing the total order to 290 airplanes for a total of $45.9 billion at the list price.

This investment by Air India is a significant boost for both Boeing and Airbus, as India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The move is part of a broader effort by Air India to modernize its fleet and improve its services to meet the needs of India’s expanding middle class. With this investment, Air India is well positioned to continue growing its operations and maintain its position as a major player in the Indian aviation market.

This sale represents the third-largest dollar value and the second-largest quantity of aircraft ever sold by Boeing.

This acquisition of nearly 300, highly advanced Boeing jets is a core element of Vihaan.AI, the comprehensive transformation and growth strategy we are pursuing at Air India, these new airplanes will enable us to dramatically expand our network, both domestically and internationally, and will come with a completely new, world-class onboard product enabling passengers to travel in the highest levels of comfort and safety. With this order, we are delighted to take our long relationship with Boeing to a new level.“

This acquisition of nearly 300, highly advanced Boeing jets is a core element of Vihaan.AI, the comprehensive transformation and growth strategy we are pursuing at Air India, these new airplanes will enable us to dramatically expand our network, both domestically and internationally, and will come with a completely new, world-class onboard product enabling passengers to travel in the highest levels of comfort and safety. With this order, we are delighted to take our long relationship with Boeing to a new level.“

Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India

Air India’s Purchase of 250 Airbus Aircraft

In a video conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran announced that the airline will purchase a total of 250 Airbus aircraft. The order includes 40 wide-body A350 planes and 210 narrow-body A320neo planes. However, the deal’s financial details were not disclosed by the Toulouse, France-based aircraft manufacturer.

The deal with Airbus represents a major investment by the airline and is expected to be worth tens of billions of dollars. This is a significant move for the Indian aviation industry, which is experiencing rapid growth and increased demand for air travel. With the purchase of new aircraft, the airline is well positioned to meet the needs of its customers and continue to grow its operations. The purchase of Airbus planes is expected to help the airline improve its fleet and provide a more modern and comfortable experience for its passengers.

This is a historic moment for Airbus and for Air India. India is on the verge of an international air travel revolution and we are honoured that our partnership with the Tatas and our aircraft solutions will write that new chapter for the country’s air-connectivity, the A350’s unique capability will unlock the pent-up potential of India’s long-haul market, its technology, long reach and second to none comfort will enable new routes and passenger experience with better economics and enhanced sustainability. Alongside the A350s, the A320 Family fleets will be the efficient, versatile asset to continue democratising and decarbonising air travel in the country – from domestic, regional, up to international levels.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International

Air India, India’s largest international carrier and second-largest domestic carrier, is making significant efforts to modernize its operations by expanding its services and updating its fleet. The purchase of new aircraft is expected to help Air India compete against its rival IndiGo, which currently dominates the Indian aviation market. The airline has “significant options” to increase its order.

The purchase of Airbus planes is expected to help Air India improve its fleet and provide a more modern and comfortable experience for its passengers. The deal was applauded by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who praised it as a sign of the strengthening “strategic partnership” between their countries. The move is part of a broader effort by Air India to reestablish itself as a major player in the Indian aviation market and to meet the needs of India’s expanding middle class.

During a joint press conference in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a new aviation deal that could help India become the world’s third-largest market in the aviation sector. Modi stated that the deal will help India meet the growing demand for more than 2,000 aircraft over the next 15 years. This announcement highlights the increasing importance of the aviation sector in India and its potential for growth in the coming years.

In his remarks, Macron called the aviation deal a “new success” in the strategic partnership between India and France. He emphasized that this agreement is an opportunity for both countries to develop new areas of cooperation in the aviation sector. The French President also noted the importance of this deal for French companies, as they will be involved in the production of the aircraft and the development of the aviation sector in India.

Overall, the aviation deal between India and France is expected to have significant implications for the future of the aviation sector in India. With a growing demand for more aircraft in the country, this agreement could help India become a major player in the global aviation industry. Additionally, this deal demonstrates the continued strategic partnership between India and France, which is expected to result in new areas of cooperation in the years to come.

Featured Image via Hindustan Times