Summary
- Air India is launching operations with its latest Airbus A350-900 on January 22, starting with high-demand regional routes to permit crews to familiarise themselves with the jet.
- The A350 will probably be steadily deployed on longer-haul flights to destinations across continents upon delivery of further airframes through 2024.
- Under Tata Group, Air India is eyeing further international expansion because it rebrands itself as a powerful competitor to airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways.
After taking delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 (VT-JRA) in December, Air India is gearing as much as launch operations later this month. The brand-new aircraft is scheduled to start flights with the Indian flag carrier on January 22, with an inaugural service between Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai.
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Cleared for take-off
Initial operations will see the aircraft connect high-demand regional routes from India’s largest cities, including Chennai International Airport (MAA), Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) in Hyderabad, allowing for the crew to familiarise themselves with the jet.
Flights are set to operate as much as six times per week, aside from services between Delhi and Bengaluru, that are only scheduled for Tuesdays. The Delhi – Bengaluru route will begin on January 23. Bookings are actually open for all latest A350 flights on Air India’s website.
In an announcement shared with The Hindustan Times, Air India celebrated the upcoming launch of operations with its first of 20 forthcoming A350. The aircraft type’s network is about to expand later this 12 months, with at the very least five more airframes expected during Q1 2024.
As a part of Air India’s modernization efforts under Tata Group, the A350 boasts a fresh and updated cabin interior configured in a three-class layout, providing capability for 316 passengers.
With all seating provided by Collins Aerospace, Air India’s A350 fleet will seat 264 passengers in economy class and 24 in premium economy, which offers enhanced features and more legroom. Business class comes equipped with 28 private suites featuring lie-flat bedding, a comparatively luxurious feature not commonly featured outside of first-class products.
Other additions to Air India’s A350 cabin include Panasonic’s eX3 HD in-flight entertainment system (IFE) and a refreshed color pallet, reflecting the airline’s overhauled image.
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The aircraft landed in Delhi on December 23.
The long run is here
Moving into 2024, Air India is about to shake off the dust of its pre-Tata operations, holding plans to re-establish itself as a firm competitor to airlines equivalent to Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways and expand its international network.
As a part of its rebranding efforts, Air India will steadily tackle 470 latest aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, mixing wide and narrowbody jets to support its international and regional operations. In December, the airline made several changes to its Airbus order, specializing in A321neo and A350 operations, with its order split between the -900 and -1000 variants.
Photo: Air India
Air India could possibly be trying to expand its relationship with Airbus right into a partnership, with reports that the carrier had begun talks with the European aircraft manufacturer to open a $420 million pilot training facility. Based on The Economic Times, each parties would hold a 50% stake within the proposed facility, offering training on A320neo and A350 family aircraft. The in-house facility could turn into one among the most important in South Asia, potentially housing as much as 20 simulators.
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