Air India, privatised in January 2023, had done some quick fixes before its mega order of 470 aircraft earlier in 2023.  One of the first of these fleet augmentation plans was stitched up in September 2022 when Air India announced that it would pick up five (ex-Delta) 777-200LRs and 25 A320/321 aircraft. Since then, the 777-200LRs have been delivered.

Air India to lease 25 A320/A321neo jets.

Air India last enhanced its fleet in 2016, when it signed on to bring 14 brand-new A320neo into its fleet via a leasing transaction with ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance company of Kuwait. The deal was signed in 2016, and the aircraft started to be inducted into the fleet in February 2017.  Another 13 A320neo aircraft were added via a lease with GECAPS and CIT. The entire induction of the A320neo aircraft was completed by March 2019.

Air India signed up to get four Airbus A321neos, which have already joined the Air India fleet (VT-RTB/C/D/E) and 21 Airbus A320neos, which were supposed to join Air India’s fleet starting the second half of 2023.

Air India received the first A320neo since privatisation.

The delivery of these A320neos has started now, with the first aircraft being delivered by China Aircraft Leasing Corporation (CALC), with eight more to follow. All nine aircraft are part of CALC’s existing order book, equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines and scheduled to be delivered by stages in 2023 and 2024.

On October 11, 2023, Air India received their first A320neo at Airbus’ delivery centre in Toulouse, and it was flown from Toulouse to Delhi overnight and arrived in Delhi on October 12, 2023. The aircraft is configured with 186 Economy Class seats.

This aircraft has been delivered in Air India’s existing logo and livery. Air India plans to reveal the new livery with the A350 it is due to be delivered within this calendar year. Air India tweeted out some images of the inside of the aircraft, and this is the first aircraft in Air India’s A320 fleet with mood lighting installed. Unfortunately, with the existing seat covers, it doesn’t look too great.

Bottomline

Air India has started taking delivery of their A320neos, which, along with the delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX to Air India Express, will power the expansion of the Air India group inside the country. The aircraft is a significant milestone, being the first A320neo to be inducted into the fleet since the airline was privatised. This is one of the fleet augmentation orders for Air India, and they have 140 A320neo from their order coming later.

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