Air India in talks with Boeing, Airbus for buying 300 aircraft

Doha/Chennai, June 20

Air India plans to expand its fleet in a couple of years. The proposed new aircraft will be a mix of narrow and wide-bodied from the two manufacturers — Airbus and Boeing — media reports said on Monday.

Fleet Expansion

• As per media reports, the airline is in talks with Airbus and Boeing for the purchase of a mix of narrow and wide-bodied aircraft.

Air India is in discussions with both companies for the potential purchase of up to 300 narrow body jets, industry sources said. Airbus and Boeing declined comment on the negotiations, earlier reported by Bloomberg.

Currently, Air India’s fleet is a mix of Boeing (777-200LR, 777-300ER and 787-800 Dreamliner) and Airbus (319, 320, 320Neo and 321) aircraft numbering 113 which are in operaton.

It will be interesting to see how the Tata Group finances the fleet expansion.

It is also said Air India has asked its pilots if they want to get trained in flying A350, which means the airline plans to induct the same in its fleet for long-haul flights.

However, Air India officials were not available for comment.

Tata Group acquired Air India from the Indian government last year. The Group already has Vistara and Air Asia India under its fold. — Agencies