Air India Acquires Six Boeing 777 Jets, Marking First Purchase in Over Seven Years

Related Articles

Ashneer Grover Beams with Pride as Son Avyukt Scores 91% in Class 10 Boards, Shares Candid Photo to Celebrate

2 days ago

“Bhutan and Adani Group Collaborate on 5,000 MW Hydropower Initiative”

3 days ago

“Vijay Shekhar Sharma of Paytm Resolves ESOP Violation Case with SEBI”

3 days ago

Air India has purchased six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, marking its first acquisition of this wide-body aircraft type in more than seven years. According to sources, the aircraft were previously leased and operated by the airline, and this strategic purchase comes amid global supply chain challenges affecting new aircraft deliveries and ongoing refurbishment of its older fleet.

The aircraft were acquired through AI Fleet Services Ltd (AIFS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India based in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in GIFT City, Gujarat. These planes, initially operated by Etihad Airways, had been inducted into the Air India fleet starting in 2023 under a lease arrangement. With the lease term approaching its end, the airline decided to secure the planes to maintain capacity and meet increasing demand for long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations.

Each of the six Boeing 777-300ERs features a four-class configuration — First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy — offering flexibility and comfort to travelers.

The acquisition forms part of Air India’s broader five-year transformation strategy initiated after the Tata Group took over the loss-making carrier in January 2022. The airline is currently undergoing a $400 million retrofit program for 67 wide- and narrow-body aircraft to upgrade interiors, install modern seating, and align the fleet with its refreshed branding.

This is the first time since 2018 — when the government-owned Air India took delivery of a Boeing 777 as part of an older 2005 order — that the airline has added this model to its owned fleet.

Air India currently operates 198 aircraft, 106 of which have new or upgraded cabin interiors. The airline has also placed a massive order for 570 new aircraft since its privatization. The retrofitting of the first legacy Boeing 787 is scheduled for June 2025, and work on its 27 legacy Airbus A320neo aircraft is expected to conclude by Q3 of this year.

Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson previously acknowledged global supply chain disruptions affecting aircraft production, engines, seats, and other components. He emphasized that the industry, including Air India, will face such constraints for another 4-5 years.

“In a supply-constrained market, you have to be a little ruthless about where you deploy your aircraft to maximize returns,” Wilson said in March. He added that while leasing aircraft remains an option, the high demand and configuration complexities pose additional challenges.

Despite these hurdles, the acquisition signals Air India’s commitment to growth and modernization as it strives to reclaim its position as a world-class international airline.

Sources By Agencies