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

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.