The commercial director of the airline Indian water hinted that she was expecting 840 aircraft of the two major manufacturers including options, almost twice as much as the giant order announced on Tuesday.
On February 14, 2023, the Indian national company announced letters of intent for 250 firm Airbuses et 220 firm Boeingsplus 70 options for the latter, divided between 400 single-aisle and 70 wide-body aircraft, for a contract with an overall value of close to 150 billion dollars (excluding engine manufacturers). This historical record for India and civil aviation in general was in fact below the truth: the CCO of Air India Nipun Aggarwal explains on social networks that it is necessary to add to these firm orders 370 options not detailed (including the 70 from Boeing): “ it is indeed a historic moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation. This order for 840 aircraft is the culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago with the privatization process of Air India ».
It should be recalled that the aircraft ordered firm by Air India include on the one hand 140 A320neo et 70 A321neo the number of XLRs is not detailed), plus 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 for Airbus; and on the other 190 737 MAX (737-8 and 737-10) plus 50 optional, 20 787-9 Dreamliner plus 20 optional, and ten 777-9 for Boeing.
« This order demonstrates the Tata Group’s vision and aspiration to transform Air India into a world-class airline and to connect India ‘non-stop’ to all major cities in the world. This order also demonstrates the tremendous economic potential released by the privatization of Air India added the commercial director.
The company of Star Alliance already operates 68 A320 Family aircraft, including 27 A320neos; its low-cost subsidiary AirAsia India has a fleet of 23 A320s and five A320neos; and five 777-200ERs, twelve 777-300ERs and 27 787-8 Dreamliners; its low cost Air India Express operates on its side 26 737-800. With the eight ATR 42 and 72 of its regional subsidiary Alliance Air, this gives a global fleet of 147 planes selon Planespotters
©Airbus
