Advertisement
Air India faces slow return to glory despite world’s largest order of Airbus, Boeing aircraft
- Air India has much to do before it re-emerges as a strong competitor, even with the 470 new aircraft it has on order, analysts say
- It must overcome bureaucracy, stiff competition and a legacy of state ownership, as it also navigates a partnership with Singapore Airlines
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Under its founder – aviation pioneer and Tata Group scion JRD Tata – India’s first airline once had an impeccable reputation, which it lost from the late 1970s onwards after being brought under government control.
Advertisement
But Air India’s hopes are now soaring again after Tata Group placed the world’s largest aviation order for 470 aircraft this month, a year after the conglomerate took over the debt-ridden state-controlled carrier. The airline has not disclosed the value of the deal, but observers say it may amount to between US$70 and US$80 billion.
Still, the airline faces a long, difficult road to regaining its competitive edge, analysts say.
Air India’s recent order comprises 70 wide-bodied aircraft – 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777-9s – as well as 400 narrow body or single aircraft, including 210 Airbus A320/321 Neos and 190 Boeing 737 MAX.
The first new aircraft will join the airline later this year, and the bulk will arrive from mid-2025, said Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran. Air India has leased 11 Boeing 777 and 25 Airbus A320 aircraft to accelerate its fleet and network expansion, he added.
Advertisement