NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — Air India is advancing their effort to modernize its fleet with an order of 85 new Airbus jets in a deal worth around $6.3 billion. The A320 family aircraft involved in the order total at 75, while the number of long-haul A350 jets stands at 10. This comes after one of the biggest commitments by Air India to purchase nearly 500 aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing in the endeavor to reclaim its position as one of the world’s top airlines.
The announcement comes during a time of mourning for the airline as it reflects on the legacy of former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata, who passed away this week at the age of 86. Tata, of course, played a pivotal role in Air India’s journey, returning the airline to the Tata fold in 2021 after years of decline.
This is the latest development in Air India’s attempt at revamping its operations to give a boost to its competitive edge in the aviation business. The company has already had some orders placed, including 250 jets from Airbus and 220 from Boeing, for improvement in its turnaround strategy. Sources suggest that Air India is considering additional orders from Boeing amidst the present positive market conditions.
Founded in 1932 by J.R.D. Tata, Air India boasts a rich history in aviation. Investments over the past few months have further highlighted the effort of the airline to upgrade its fleet and thereby its service offerings. According to some analysts, however, the growth trajectory for Air India and its competitor IndiGo may not be completely smooth as delays in deliveries and fluctuations in the oil price are still going to present headwinds.
As Air India ventures into this expansion plan, the company feels that it strengthens its position in the market for the simple reason that the sector of aviation itself has become very competitive.
