Air India Commences Commercial Operations Using Its Inaugural Airbus A321neo Aircraft

Air India began commercial operations more than two months after it received its first Airbus A321neo.

Air India already has a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, which includes the A321. The neo-version of the plane was only recently added as part of the airline's fleet expansion programme.

Commercial flights start

Air India has begun operating its first A321neo in revenue service. The aircraft was registered VT-RTD and delivered to Air India in March. ADS-B data from ch-aviation shows that the plane started commercial flights on June 10th.

VT-RTD flew initially on the busy Delhi-Mumbai segment and operated five segments on June 11th and 12. Flightradar24.com data shows that Air India is using the aircraft for domestic routes. The aircraft has covered major destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow. The plane was just about to depart from Hyderabad bound for Mumbai on flight AI 616 when this article was written.

Four A321neos delivered so far

Air India has so far received four A321neos. The first A321neo (VTRTD) arrived on 23 March, followed by the second (VTRTC) and third (VTRTB) in April, and finally the fourth (VTRTE) on 16 May. The CFM LEAP1A engines power all four planes.

Air India did not order these planes from Airbus. Last month, the airline announced massive orders from Boeing and Airbus totaling 470 aircraft. Airbus had 250 planes, including 140 A320neos, and 70 A321neos.

Air India planned to lease more than 35 aircraft to meet its immediate needs. The A321neos originally were destined for Russian airlines, but sanctions against the country led to the planes being diverted to other airlines. Air India saw a chance and landed a deal.

Rapid fleet development

Air India has a massive expansion of its fleet. The Tata Group is backing the airline to purchase as many aircrafts as possible in both the short-term and the long-term.

In less than one year, the carrier will add 50 narrowbody aircraft and 19 widebody planes. The new planes include the Airbus A350s in its massive Airbus deal. Air India has also been in talks to purchase two additional Boeing 787s that will be used immediately. The airline plans to use 17 widebody aircraft to expand its fleet, and two to replace retiring aircraft.

Airbus is also in discussions with the carrier to speed up deliveries. Airbus was to deliver Go First dozens of narrowbody planes, but now that its future is uncertain, Air India, and other Indian carriers, are eager to get those planes.

The airline will also use the $400 million set aside for structural improvements to its planes. The interiors of older aircraft will be completely replaced by new ones. By mid-2025, Air India plans to have new cabins equipped with WiFi on all twin-aisle aircraft.

 

Source: simpleflying.com