Airlines

Air India’s First A320neo Emerges with New Livery from Paintshop

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Air India, the flag carrier of India, recently unveiled its much-anticipated new livery with the rollout of the first Airbus A320neo from the paint shop.

While the airline had been consistently inducting A320neos in its traditional livery, this marked a significant departure as the aircraft emerged adorned in the fresh design. Originally, the debut of the new livery was earmarked for the A350-900, which joined Air India’s fleet in December 2023.

However, enthusiasts were pleasantly surprised when the new branding was spotted gracing an A320 aircraft in France, hinting at an imminent shift. Identifiable by the distinctive tail sign beginning with VT-RT*, these aircraft now include the new livery as part of Air India’s rebranding efforts.

First Airbus A320Neo in full new Air India Livery MSN12256 #VTRTN #Airbus #AirIndia @airindia #avgeek #aviationdaily #planespotting 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/n5nR7rFFmj
— Eurospot (@cliper31) May 2, 2024

Notably, the latest addition to this lineup, an A320neo configured entirely in an economy layout, made its debut outside the paint shop at Airbus‘ Toulouse facility. In a nod to the esteemed Tata, the tail sign of this freshly painted A320neo will bear VT-RTN, symbolizing a tribute to his legacy. This move underlines the deep-rooted connection between Air India and the Tata Group, with the latter playing a pivotal role in the airline’s history.

The revamped livery incorporates modern elements, including the distinctive black eyemask feature reminiscent of the A350 aircraft. This infusion of contemporary design elements is aimed at aligning Air India’s visual identity with current industry standards while retaining its heritage.

Recently, Air India is set to embark on a new era of international travel with the introduction of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 jets.

The airline has chosen Dubai as the inaugural international destination for these cutting-edge aircraft, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward modernization and enhanced passenger experience. Commencing from May 1st, 2024, Air India will operate the A350-900 daily on the prestigious Delhi-Dubai route, flight numbers AI995/996.

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.