Modernising Air India...
It has been a long road to privatisation for Air India, the flag-carrier taken-over by the Tata Group after acquiring a 100% stake in the carrier since early-2022, having owned the airline for the best part of nearly 2 years, their rebranding is starting to take shape with the introduction of their first Airbus A350 and the rebranding of Air India Express.
For the past couple of years, Air India did have a reputation for their subpar quality in comparison to the main long-haul competitors from the Middle East that operate extensive flights into India, as well as increased competition from an ever-growing array of airlines based in India from new-entrant Akasa Air to an ever-growing IndiGo for example. The reputation certainly exemplified by some of their aircraft not being in great condition, which the flag-carrier will want to address.
The rebrand was officially unveiled on 10th August 2023 alongside new cabin interiors that will arrive not only on brand new aircraft, but select existing aircraft will also see new cabins within the next couple of years. During the initial phase of privatisation, Air India began acquiring second-hand long-haul aircraft via dry-lease, these include 5 Boeing 777-200LRs that were previously operating with Delta Air Lines, whilst 4 Boeing 777-300ERs have recently arrived via Etihad Airways with not only a further 2 examples also due to arrive from the flag-carrier, but 3 other examples are due to arrive from Singapore Airlines.
It will be interesting to see how Air India evolves in the next couple of years...
Currently, Air India operates 25 Boeing 777s, which includes 8 Boeing 777-200LRs and 17 Boeing 777-300ERs. Air India have 5 second-hand Boeing 777-300ERs and 10 Boeing 777-9s on-order.
Alpha Echo Romeo is one of 17 Boeing 777-300ERs operated by Air India, delivered new to Etihad Airways as A6-ETR on 27th November 2013, later withdrawn from service on 2nd November 2020 later to be purchased by leasing company, Altavair AirFinance in April 2022, now leased to Air India since 20th July 2023 and she is powered by 2 General Electric GE90-115B engines.
Boeing 777-3FX/ER VT-AER 'क्रिया / Kriyā' on short finals into Runway 27L at London Heathrow (LHR) on AI111 from Delhi-Indira Ghandi (DEL).
Modernising Air India...
It has been a long road to privatisation for Air India, the flag-carrier taken-over by the Tata Group after acquiring a 100% stake in the carrier since early-2022, having owned the airline for the best part of nearly 2 years, their rebranding is starting to take shape with the introduction of their first Airbus A350 and the rebranding of Air India Express.
For the past couple of years, Air India did have a reputation for their subpar quality in comparison to the main long-haul competitors from the Middle East that operate extensive flights into India, as well as increased competition from an ever-growing array of airlines based in India from new-entrant Akasa Air to an ever-growing IndiGo for example. The reputation certainly exemplified by some of their aircraft not being in great condition, which the flag-carrier will want to address.
The rebrand was officially unveiled on 10th August 2023 alongside new cabin interiors that will arrive not only on brand new aircraft, but select existing aircraft will also see new cabins within the next couple of years. During the initial phase of privatisation, Air India began acquiring second-hand long-haul aircraft via dry-lease, these include 5 Boeing 777-200LRs that were previously operating with Delta Air Lines, whilst 4 Boeing 777-300ERs have recently arrived via Etihad Airways with not only a further 2 examples also due to arrive from the flag-carrier, but 3 other examples are due to arrive from Singapore Airlines.
It will be interesting to see how Air India evolves in the next couple of years...
Currently, Air India operates 25 Boeing 777s, which includes 8 Boeing 777-200LRs and 17 Boeing 777-300ERs. Air India have 5 second-hand Boeing 777-300ERs and 10 Boeing 777-9s on-order.
Alpha Echo Romeo is one of 17 Boeing 777-300ERs operated by Air India, delivered new to Etihad Airways as A6-ETR on 27th November 2013, later withdrawn from service on 2nd November 2020 later to be purchased by leasing company, Altavair AirFinance in April 2022, now leased to Air India since 20th July 2023 and she is powered by 2 General Electric GE90-115B engines.
Boeing 777-3FX/ER VT-AER 'क्रिया / Kriyā' on short finals into Runway 27L at London Heathrow (LHR) on AI111 from Delhi-Indira Ghandi (DEL).