Tag Archives: Air India

Air India’s first Airbus A350-900 to arrive before the end of the year

Air India has announced it has arranged financing of the first (of six) Airbus A350-900 which will be delivered before the end of the year.

https://x.com/airindia/status/1707803064428802269?s=20

Air India enters into an agreement with AccesRail to connect to more than 100 cities and towns in Europe

A new Air India is unveiled, representing a bold new India on the world stage

Air India, a Tata Group-owned airline, has unveiled a modern new brand identity and new aircraft livery that capture the essence of a bold new India, marking a milestone in its Vihaan.AI transformation of the national institution into a national inspiration. 

The new look reimagines the iconic Indian window shape, historically used by Air India, into a gold window frame that becomes central to the new brand design system – symbolising a ‘Window of Possibilities’.  

Air India’s new logo symbol – ‘The Vista’ – is inspired by the peak of the gold window frame, signifying limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline’s bold, confident outlook for the future.  

Air India’s brand-new aircraft livery and design features a palette of deep red, aubergine, and gold highlights, as well as a chakra-inspired pattern. It also boasts a striking new custom-made ‘Air India Sans’ font, marrying confidence with warmth to position Air India as premium, inclusive, and accessible. 

Campbell Wilson, Air India CEO & MD, said: “Our transformative new brand reflects an ambition to make Air India a world class airline serving guests from around the globe, and that represents a new India proudly on the global stage.  “The new Air India is bold, confident, and vibrant, but also warm and deeply rooted to its rich history and traditions that make Indian hospitality a global benchmark for standards in service.” Designed in partnership with the brand transformation company, FutureBrand, the iconic new brand identity combines Air India’s glorious past with its drive to aim for excellence and innovate for the future, creating a standout brand design for a premium global airline with an Indian heart. 

Travellers will begin to see the new logo throughout their journey starting December 2023, when Air India’s first Airbus A350 enters the fleet in the new livery.  

“Colours, patterns, shapes and how they come together and what they represent matter, but our actions speak so much louder. We are in the midst of a total transformation to reimagine the role of India’s flagship airline”, Wilson said.  Air India is making significant investments throughout the guest experience to elevate its service and to strengthening its position as the preferred airline for travellers flying to, from, and within India: 

  • Air India has confirmed historic purchase agreements to acquire 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing at US$70 billion (based on published list prices), with deliveries of the new aircraft starting November this year.
  • The transformation of Air India’s fleet has already begun with the airline leasing and buying 20 widebody aircraft this year. A US$400 million programme to completely refurbish the interiors of its legacy fleet of 43 widebody aircraft commences mid-2024, which will lead to the installation of brand-new seats in every cabin, new inflight entertainment systems, and inflight Wi-Fi internet connectivity. By March 2024, 33% of the airline’s widebody fleet will be upgraded, and over the next two-and-a-half years, its entire long-haul fleet will be reborn.
  • Air India has launched a new website and mobile app, offering a significantly improved web experience with new digital tools and features.
  • The carrier will also launch a new “open all hours, every day” customer contact centre in nine Indian and foreign languages by the end of this year, as well as a completely redesigned loyalty program in early 2024 that will enable thousands of new redemption possibilities. 
  • The airline is investing in building completely new lounges at Delhi and New York JFK airports, having recently announced a global lounge network expansion, achieving 100% lounge access coverage for premium customers at all destinations in its international route network.
  • Air India has now welcomed more than 5,000 new staff, including 3,200 Cabin Crew and nearly 1,000 Cockpit Crew, who are helping to drive the cultural transformation taking place at the heart of Air India. It is also heavily investing in building one of the world’s largest aviation training academies in India that will upskill a massive number of aviation professionals.

Air India to introduce a new look, brand and livery

Air India is expected to introduce a new red, white and purple livery on August 10.

Go deeper from Business Today:

https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/air-india-rebranding-tata-group-owned-airline-likely-to-change-livery-colours-soon-393139-2023-08-07

Air India announces Delhi-Dhaka direct flights from September 15

Air India Airbus A320-251N WL F-WWBX (VT-CIP) (msn 8225) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 943006.

Air India, India’s leading global carrier and a Star Alliance member, today announced non-stop flights between Delhi and Dhaka, bringing greater convenience and comfort to travellers flying between the capital cities of India and Bangladesh.

Starting on September 15, 2023, Air India will fly four times a week between the two cities using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

Air India currently flies thrice weekly between Kolkata and Dhaka. The additional frequency will help serve the increased demand for international travel to and from Dhaka on the back of Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth and overall development.

Air India’s flight AI237 will depart Delhi at 1755hrs, arriving in Dhaka at 2045hrs. The return flight AI238 will leave Dhaka at 2145hrs, arriving in Delhi at 2350hrs. All times are local.,

Top Copyright Photo: Air India Airbus A320-251N WL F-WWBX (VT-CIP) (msn 8225) TLS (Paul Bannwarth). Image: 943006.

Air India aircraft photo gallery:

Air India aircraft photo gallery

Air India to lease three Boeing 777-300ERs from Singapore Airlines in order to retire the remaining Boeing 777-200s

Air India will lease three Boeing 777-300ERs from Singapore Airlines. This will allow the airline to retire the remaining Boeing 777-200LRs which are in need of upgrading.

Air India under the Tata Group is upgrading the fleet.

Air India, a Tata Group-owned global airline, in June 2023 signed purchase agreements to acquire 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, going one step further in its $70 billion (based on listprices) fleet expansion program that it announced in February this year.

Air India’s firm orders include 34 Airbus A350-1000, six A350-900, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X widebody aircraft, as well as 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo and 190 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft.

Read more from the Economic Times:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-lease-three-777-300-er-from-singapore-airlines/articleshow/102035381.cms?from=mdr

Top Copyright Photo: The last B

Air India firms up order for 250 Airbus aircraft

Air India has firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft and selected an Airbus maintenance and digital package to power the airline’s transformation and growth strategy. 

The aircraft order includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets. The airline had signed a Letter of Intent to acquire these aircraft in February 2023.

The historic Air India order marks the entry into service of the A350 in India, the world’s fastest growing aviation market. The all-new, long-range aircraft will help unlock the pent-up potential of India’s long-haul market, its technology, reach and second-to-none comfort enabling new routes and passenger experience with better economics and enhanced sustainability. Alongside the A350s, the A320 Family fleets will be the efficient, versatile asset to continue democratising and decarbonising air travel in India – from domestic, regional, up to international levels. Deliveries are set to commence with the first A350-900 before the end of 2023.

Air India finalizes its order 190 737 MAXs, 20 787 Dreamliners and 10 777X jets with options for 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners

Boeing and Air India today announced they have finalized an order for up to 290 new Boeing jets and expanded services. At the 2023 Paris Air Show, the companies held a signing ceremony to celebrate the historic purchase of Boeing’s market-leading single-aisle and widebody jets to renew and expand Air India’s fleet.

The order, which includes 190 737 MAXs, 20 787 Dreamliners and 10 777X jets with options for 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners, is Boeing’s largest order in South Asia and highlights its 90-year partnership with Air India. A comprehensive set of aviation services will also enable Air India to sustainably expand its operations in South Asia’s rapidly growing aviation market. Over the next 20 years, South Asia is expected to more than triple its in-service fleet from 700 to 2,300 airplanes to meet passenger demand.

From left to right: Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Air India; Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes; N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Air India; Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Global Services; Nipun Aggarwal, Commercial & Transformation Officer, Air India (Photo: Boeing)

The companies announced in February that Air India had selected these Boeing models to serve its strategy for sustainable growth.

London Gatwick Airport welcomes Air India with four new long-haul routes

London Gatwick Airport, part of VINCI Airports’ network, is set to welcome its latest new airline this summer, with Air India announcing four new routes to Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Kochi (Cochin), starting on March 26.

The Indian flag carrier will be operating 12 flights a week between London and the four Indian destinations on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, with 256 seats across business and economy classes. These include:

  • Three flights a week to Goa, on the western coast of India, famed for its beaches and Portuguese heritage
  • Three flights a week to Ahmedabad, in western India, and the largest city in the state of Gujarat
  • Three weekly flights to Amritsar, the second largest city in the state of Punjab in north-western India
  • Three flights a week to Kochi (Cochin), a major port city on the south-western coast, known as the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala

Top Copyright Photo: Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-NAA (msn 63298) LHR (Rob Skinkis). Image: 959874.

Air India aircraft photo gallery:

Air India is poised to make a historic order under Tata

Air India is close to placing a historic order for up to 500 jetliners from both Airbus and Boeing according to Reuters.

According to Reuters, the orderscould  include as many as 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-bodies, including dozens of Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s and 777s.

The order is expected to be formally announced shortly.

Top Copyright Photo: Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner VT-ANZ (msn 36297) PAE (Brian Worthington). Image: 959634.

Air India aircraft photo gallery: