Aviation

Air India Poised for Another Game-Changing Order of Airbus A320s and A350s

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Air India is making significant strides to reclaim its status among the world’s leading airlines by placing a new order for 85 Airbus jets.

This latest order, which industry sources confirm consists of 75 A320-family aircraft for short- to medium-haul air india flight and 10 long-haul A350 jets, is part of the airline’s ambitious expansion plan.

Key Highlights of the Order:

Total Jets Ordered: 85 Airbus aircraft
- 75 A320-family jets: Tailored for short- to medium-haul routes.
- 10 A350 aircraft: Designed for long-haul operations.
Potential Boeing Order: Air India is also eyeing a top-up order from Boeing, which could further enhance its fleet.

While Airbus has acknowledged an order from an unnamed customer, sources within the industry have identified Air India as the buyer. This marks a substantial step in the airline’s ongoing transformation since its acquisition by the Tata Group, which has committed to substantial investments in upgrading operations and modernizing the fleet.

Industry experts speculate that Air India’s ongoing expansion efforts may soon be complemented by a significant order from Boeing, reinforcing the airline’s position in the competitive aviation market. The news of the Airbus order coincidentally surfaced shortly before Tata Group announced the passing of its former chairman, Ratan Tata, underscoring the deep connection between the airline and the Tata legacy.

As Air India continues to invest in its fleet and enhance its service offerings, the airline’s management has remained tight-lipped regarding specific details of the new deal, reflecting the competitive nature of the industry.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.