Aeronautics: Air India on the verge of concluding a historic order for 500 planes

Air India is preparing to sign the contract of the century: 500 planes, including 230 Airbus, to carve out a place for itself internationally but also on the booming Indian domestic flight market.

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In India, Air India is preparing to conclude the contract of the century: 500 planes, including 230 Airbus, to carve out a place for itself internationally, but also on the booming Indian domestic flight market.

This record order comes a year after the acquisition of Air India, heavily indebted, by the Tata group.

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With our correspondent in Bangalore,

It is a monster investment estimated around 65 billion euros for

before the company passed into the bosom of the State.

Tata has promised to restore its credentials to the historic Indian carrier.

In one year, the operational fleet of Air India has also increased by 27%, but it is a question of moving up a gear.

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Competition beyond borders

Driven by the post-Covid rebound, the number of domestic flights in India jumped 47% in 2022. Air India, and its low-cost subsidiary Vistara, need more aircraft to compete in this growing market, dominated by carrier Indigo.

Air India is also targeting international markets, where competition, experts warn, will be even tougher.

For this, a large fleet is not enough, it will be necessary to compete in terms of service and reputation, especially against the large carriers of the Gulf.

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This is good news for American manufacturers Boeing and General Electrics, which saw an order for 200 aircraft confirmed on Friday, after intense negotiations.

Airbus is expected to deliver 230 A320 and A350 aircraft, but the contract has not yet been formalized.

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