NEW DELHI: Air India has converted an option for 85 Airbus aircraft – 75 single aisle A320 family & 10 twin aisle A350s – into a firm order. When the Tata Group had last Feb ordered 470 planes worth $70 billion at list price – it had got an option and purchase rights for 370 more Airbus & Boeing planes to be procured over the next decade.
“That option has been exercised for 85 Airbus planes,” confirmed sources.Comments sought from AI on this were awaited till the time of going to press.
Embattled US major Boeing may also see this option being opted for by AI Group for some more planes, they add. However, a question mark hangs over when Boeing will be able to resume supply of B737 MAX to customers.
Tata Group has major expansion plans and has begun consolidating its four airlines. While erstwhile AirAsia India has already merged into AI Express, next month Vistara will merge into AI.
Indian airlines, including AI, AI Express and Akasa, have been getting planes – A350 and B737 MAX – from Airbus and Boeing that were made for carriers of other countries like Russia where they can’t supply now due to sanctions and other reasons.
Air India’s historic order for 470 aircraft had turned out to be even bigger blockbuster at 840 planes, thanks to the options for 370 more planes.