New Delhi/ Paris, 20 March - Air India, the flagship carrier of India now under the ownership of the Tata Group, is reportedly engaged in advanced negotiations to acquire a substantial number of widebody jets from aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing. According to industry sources, this multi-billion-dollar deal could involve the procurement of 30 to 40 aircraft, with the potential to exceed 50 jets if finalized. This move marks a significant step in the airline’s ambitious transformation strategy, aimed at modernizing its fleet and reclaiming a stronger foothold in the competitive international aviation market. The discussions center around widebody models such as the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 777X, both of which are designed for long-haul flights, aligning with Air India’s goal to expand its global reach.
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The Tata Group’s acquisition of Air India in 2022 set the stage for an overhaul of the airline, which had previously struggled with an aging fleet and operational inefficiencies. Since then, the carrier has pursued an aggressive expansion plan, bolstered by massive aircraft orders. In 2023, Air India secured a landmark deal for 470 planes from Airbus and Boeing, comprising mostly single-aisle jets for domestic and short-haul routes, alongside a smaller number of widebodies. This was followed by an additional order of 100 Airbus aircraft in December 2024, which included 10 A350s and 90 narrowbody A320-family planes. The current talks for more widebody jets build on these efforts, reflecting the airline’s shift toward enhancing its long-haul capabilities to compete with global players like Emirates, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.
Widebody aircraft, unlike their narrowbody counterparts, are critical for long-range international travel, offering greater passenger capacity and cargo space. The Airbus A350, known for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology, and the Boeing 777X, touted as one of the most advanced twin-engine jets, are well-suited to Air India’s aspirations of strengthening its presence on lucrative transcontinental routes. India’s international passenger traffic is surging, with projections from ICRA, Moody’s local rating agency, estimating a 15-20% growth in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025—outpacing the 7-10% growth in domestic travel. This demand underscores the urgency for Air India to bolster its widebody fleet. The potential order comes amid a global scramble for aircraft production slots, as supply chain disruptions and high demand have constrained availability. Air India already has 50 A350s, 10 777Xs, and 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners on order from its previous agreements, but the airline appears determined to accelerate its fleet renewal.
CEO Campbell Wilson recently highlighted the persistent global aircraft shortage, expected to last another four to five years, which has delayed deliveries and hampered growth plans. For instance, some Boeing 737 MAX jets originally slated for delivery by December 2024 are now projected to arrive by June 2025, while timelines for custom-built aircraft remain uncertain. This latest deal, if confirmed, would further solidify Air India’s partnership with Airbus and Boeing, both of which declined to comment on the ongoing talks. The airline’s modernization efforts extend beyond new aircraft acquisitions; it is also retrofitting its existing fleet, with widebody refits scheduled to begin in April 2025. By investing heavily in its fleet, Air India aims to recapture market share lost to international rivals and position itself as a leading carrier in the rapidly growing Indian aviation market. With billions of dollars at stake, this order could reshape the airline’s future and signal India’s rising influence in global aviation.