Airlines

Air India Commits over US$400m to Fully Refurbish Existing Widebody Aircraft Cabin Interiors

Air India spends $400 million refurbishing its aeroplane cabin.

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Completely new, latest-generation seats and inflight entertainment system to be installed in all cabin classes.
Premium Economy cabin to be introduced.
Regulatory and Engineering process has already commenced.

The top airline in India and a Star Alliance participant, Air India, has revealed intends to renovate its entire legacy wide-body fleet, which consists of 13 B777s and 27 Boeing 787-8s, investing more than US$400 million in the process.

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The interiors of the current cabins will undergo a comprehensive redesign as part of this renovation, including the installation of the newest seats and the finest in class inflight entertainment for all classes. Additionally, the
On both fleets, the addition of a Premium Economy cabin will result from refurbishment. The 777s will still have a First Class cabin. Leading London-based product design firms JPA Design and Trendworks have been hired by Air India to help with the cabin interior design components of this renovation initiative. The partnership brings together two aviation and interior design professionals who have created concepts for well-known companies including Taj Hotels, The Orient Express, and Herman Miller International.

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With this significant investment, Air India is committed to providing its passengers with a comfortable, modern, and technologically advanced cabin to facilitate travel experience that is comparable with the best airlines in the world.

The complete interior refurbishment entails significant regulatory and engineering preparation, which commenced earlier this year. This lengthy but necessary process, and the time required to manufacture seats, is expected to lead to the first aircraft entering service in mid-2024.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.