Air India buys 470 planes and prepares to dominate the skies of the next 50 years

There are announcements destined to remain in history and the one communicated a few hours ago by Air India is one of them. The Indian airline has signed A contract to purchase as many as 470 new aircraft. It is the largest order in aviation history. Indian company, privatized in 2022, thus demonstrates all its ambitions for the future and with this act aims to dominate the world's skies for the next 50 years. 

The mega-order concerns some Airbus and Boeing models and in particular:

- BOEING

• 190 737MAX
• 20 787
• 10 777X

-AIRBUS

• 210 A320neo
• 40 A350

A super. saleswoman That makes the United States and France smile, the host countries of - respectively - the Boeing and Airbus manufacturing industries. French President Emmanuel Macron and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the agreement at a ceremony as part of the Aerolndia exhibition, which the two attended virtually. The White House, through a statement, announced the220 Boeing order. 

"This important agreement shows, along with the deepening of relations between India and France, the Successes and aspirations of the civil aviation sector in India. Today, civil aviation is an integral part of India's growth," were Prime Minister Modi's words during the online event. Echoed by the French president, "This achievement shows that Airbus and all its French partners are fully dedicated to developing new areas of dedication with India."

Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International of Airbus, said, "We thank Air India for its visionary strategy, choosing the two benchmark aircraft types in each of their categories. We are excited and honored to see these aircraft become cornerstones of Air India's renaissance. This fleet will propel the airline globally to where it deserves to be, with the best."

 

The company's official statement

Air India is controlled by the Tata Group and with this historic order is preparing to completely transform its fleet with the aim of covering - potentially - all routes and, at the same time, seeking to Compete with cheaper carriers (as IndiGo) and long-range champions (such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways). In September last year, the company's new CEO, Campbell Wilson, had announced major expansion plans for the carrier, and the fleet renewal to boost the company's global reputation is just one of the first steps in this direction.

In more detail, Air India's super order includes. 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft, as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets. The A320neo will be used on domestic and some international short-haul routes, while the A350 will be used to "fly ultra-long routes around the world."

A deal that the Wall Street Journal, taking into account the list prices, has estimated to be around a crazy $85 billion (although of course airlines tend to receive large discounts, and on such a contract we cannot expect anything else).

At the moment, it is not yet possible to know when the planes will actually be delivered to Air India, but this move undoubtedly marks an important turning point for the future of the Indian airline and for civil aviation more generally.