An Update On India’s National Carrier ‘Air India’

Given the changes taking place at Air India after its privatization, the carrier is often in the news for various reasons, mostly with all the new developments within the company. With an expanding fleet and network and the upcoming merger with Vistara, among other things, we’re rounding up some of the latest stories related to the carrier.

SIA Engineering Company appointed as strategic partner

The growing synergy between Air India and the Singapore Airlines Group now also includes a strategic partnership with SIA Engineering Company Limited. It will work closely with Air India on the planning, construction, development, and operationalization of the carrier’s base maintenance facilities in Bangalore.

Photo: Savvapanf Photo | Shutterstock 

The partnership is expected to make Air India become more self-reliant for the maintenance of its own fleet and add to India’s aviation infrastructure by boosting the growth of the country’s MRO industry.

Expanding international network

Air India’s overseas network has seen a significant boost in the last couple of years, and the last few weeks have been no exception. Earlier this month, Air India announced a non-stop service between Delhi and Zurich starting June 16, marking the airline’s entry into Switzerland.

A few days ago, the carrier also announced that it will add more Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights to Amsterdam, Milan, and Copenhagen to meet the rising demand for international travel from India.

Photo: Abdul N Quraishi – Abs | Shutterstock

In May, the carrier also said that it would increase flights to Phuket due to high demand, adding a second service from June 1. The new flight schedule allows for a convenient morning departure from Delhi to Phuket, enhancing the passenger experience.

New A320 spotted as old Boeing 747s leave

The last few weeks have also been bittersweet for the carrier, as it saw its beloved Boeing 747 planes officially leave the fleet, and a new Airbus A320 was spotted wearing the latest livery.

In April, Air India finally sold off the last four of its Boeing 747 airplanes to US-based AerSale, a supplier of aftermarket commercial jet engines and parts. Soon after, one of the superjumbos was seen departing Mumbai airport to its final destination, with the pilots performing a wing wave to mark the occasion.

Not too long ago, Air India’s first Airbus A320neo in the new livery was spotted at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France. Since becoming a private carrier, Air India has received several new A320 family airplanes, but all of them were delivered in the old livery. With this new aircraft, the process of painting Air India’s narrowbody planes in the latest brand livery has begun.

Merger with Vistara expected to be completed this year

Air India’s merger with Vistara could be finalized sooner than expected, with sources saying it will likely happen by the end of this year. Work on staff integration is in full swing, but a few regulatory approvals are still needed.

The two airlines still require the nod of foreign direct investment and other approvals, with the Singapore Airlines Group releasing a statement which said,

“Once completed, it will give SIA a 25.1 per cent stake in an enlarged Air India group with a significant presence in all key Indian airline market segments, including domestic, international, full-service, and low-cost.”

Photo: viper-zero | Shutterstock

Vistara has also given an update on its frequent flier program, Club Vistara, and said that it will continue to exist until the integration is finalized. But once the two carriers become one, Club Vistara will be migrated to Air India’s Flying Returns.

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Air India Flying Returns: The Simple Flying Guide

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