Airlines

Air India To Add 4 International Routes and Induct 30 New Planes

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Over the next six months, Air India plans to increase over 400 weekly services, bring in over 30 new aircraft, and start flying to four new foreign locations.

The airline, owned by the Tata Group, disclosed information on its current network and fleet augmentation initiatives, stating that it intends to expand internationally into North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

It is also expanding its network of domestic and international routes by more than 400 flights per week until March 2024. This is part of the winter timetable, which runs from October 29 to March 30 of the next year.

Air India is set to increase its flight frequency on several key routes, with Delhi to Newark going from 3X to 4X weekly starting from November 27, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Delhi to Milan will see a boost from 4X to 5X weekly flights beginning December 12, with service available on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The Delhi to San Francisco route will expand from 10X to 11X weekly flights starting on November 24, offering 2X daily flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 1 daily flight on the remaining days.

Lastly, the Delhi to Washington Dulles route will increase from 3X to 4X weekly flights, commencing on November 28, with flights available on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Additionally, Delhi to Copenhagen will see a frequency boost from 3X to 4X weekly flights, starting on December 16, offering service on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Air India plans to add more than 200 weekly flights on multiple domestic routes and over 200 weekly flights on the international network, of which more than 80 weekly flights have already been added. These plans are based on the anticipated delivery of new aircraft over the next six months.

“Between now and March 2024, Air India expects to induct over 30 wide body and narrow body aircraft to its fleet, including six A350s, four B777s and 20 A320 neos,” according to Air India.

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.