Airlines

Air India-Airbus-Boeing deal: Airline will require over 6,500 pilots for 470 planes

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According to industry sources, Air India would need more than 6,500 pilots to fly 470 aircraft that will be provided by Airbus and Boeing in the coming years. The airline has placed orders for the purchase of 840 aircraft in total, with an option to purchase an additional 370 aircraft, in an effort to expand both its fleet and operations. One of the largest aircraft orders ever placed by a carrier.

There are currently 1,600 pilots working for Air India to fly its 113 aircraft, but there have recently been incidents of ultra-long distance flights being canceled or delayed due to a staff shortage.

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The most recent solid order from Airbus includes 40 A350-900/1000 and 210 A320/321 Neo. The 190 737-Max, 20 787, and 10 777 aircraft make up the firm Boeing order. “This 40 A350 are mostly being used by Air India on its extremely long-haul flights, which may take up to 16 hours. The airline will need 30 pilots — 15 commanders and 15 first officers — each aircraft, or 1,200 pilots for A350s alone “a source stated.

The source claims that one Boeing 777 requires 26 pilots. If the airline adds 10 of these aircraft, it will need 260 pilots, but adding 20 Boeing 787s will require about 400 pilots given that each of these aircraft requires 20 pilots—10 commanders and 10 first officers.

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The deal consists of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options, and purchase rights to be bought from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade, according to a Linkedin post by Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Agarwal on Thursday.

In order to get Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) holders type rated, adequate opportunities must be offered, according to former Air India Commercial Director Pankaj Shrivastava. A pilot can only operate a specific type of aircraft after completing special training known as type ratings.

“Thousands of domestic pilots, engineers, cabin crew members, airport administrators, and other function professionals would be needed over the next years by the ambitious new Air India and the aviation industry as a whole. We must develop this potential as the flag carrier airline for India, he said.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.