Tata Sons signs $80bn deals for Air India to add 470 Airbus and Boeing planes

Tata Sons-owned Air India will acquire both widebody and single-aisle aircraft to strengthen its domestic and international operations, following agreements worth $80 billion with French aerospace firm Airbus and American aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

The acquisition of 250 Airbus aircraft and 220 Boeing Jets is anticipated to help the Indian airline advance its fleet strategy to sustainably meet the increasing demand for national and international air travel in South Asia.

Under the proposed agreement, Air India will buy 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s, and 10 Boeing 777-9s widebody aircraft, as well as 210 Airbus A320/321 Neos and 190 Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle aircraft.

In addition, the agreement includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s.

Air India to boost its operations with 250 Airbus aircraft and 290 Boeing Jets. Photo courtesy of Pilot Go from Pixabay.

N Chandrasekaran — Tata Sons and Air India Chairman said: “This order is an important step in realising Air India’s ambition, articulated in its Vihaan.

“AI transformation program, to offer a world class proposition serving global travellers with an Indian heart.

“These new aircraft will modernize the Airline’s fleet and onboard product, and dramatically expand its global network.

“The growth enabled by this order will also provide unparalleled career opportunities for Indian aviation professionals and catalyze accelerated development of the Indian aviation ecosystem.”

The B777/787s aircraft will be powered by engines from GE Aerospace and the A350 aircraft by engines from Rolls-Royce while all single-aisle aircraft will be powered by engines from CFM International.

Air India has also contracted Boeing Global Services for lifecycle support services such as digital solutions and aircraft modifications.

With the majority to arrive from mid-2025 onwards, the first of the new aircraft anticipates to enter service in late-2023.

Air India has already started taking delivery of 11 leased B777 and 25 A320 aircraft, with the first of the refitted aircraft to enter service in mid-2024.

Recently, Tata group announced an investment of more than $400 million in Air India for refurbishing the entire legacy wide-body fleet of the airline, covering 27 Boeing B787-8 and 13 B777 aircraft.