Aviation

Mukesh Ambani is buying an aircraft worth Rs 1,000 crore

India’s wealthiest businessman, Mukesh Ambani, has once again made headlines with his latest acquisition—the country’s first Boeing BBJ 737 MAX 9. Valued at an astounding Rs 1,000 crore, this ultra-long-range business jet sets a new standard in luxury and is now the most expensive private aircraft owned by an Indian.

Delivered in August 2024, the addition marks a milestone in Ambani’s impressive fleet, which now totals 10 aircraft. This move highlights his growing emphasis on luxury travel and seamless business mobility, aligning with his stature as a global business magnate.

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The Boeing BBJ 737 MAX 9 boasts two powerful CFMI LEAP-1B engines, allowing it to cover an impressive distance of 11,770 kilometers—perfect for Ambani’s extensive international business engagements. Before making its way to India, the aircraft underwent extensive modifications and testing at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in Switzerland.

Although the interiors remain undisclosed, it is anticipated that the cabin’s design will be in line with Ambani’s signature luxury standards, creating a world-class experience in the skies. To ensure peak performance, the jet completed six test flights across prominent airports in Basel, Geneva, and London Luton before taking its final journey to India.

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On August 27, 2024, the Boeing BBJ 737 MAX 9 flew from Basel to Delhi, covering 6,234 kilometers over a nine-hour flight. It is currently stationed at Delhi Airport’s maintenance apron near the cargo terminal and is expected to reach its new home in Mumbai shortly.

This acquisition adds to an already impressive collection of private jets under the Reliance Industries banner, including an Airbus A319 ACJ and a Bombardier Global 6000. Alongside these, Ambani’s fleet features two helicopters—a Dauphin Helicopter and a Sikorsky S76—used for quick commutes between business locations, emphasizing the billionaire’s focus on efficiency and flexibility in business travel.

With this Rs 1,000 crore investment, Mukesh Ambani continues to elevate his status not just as a business tycoon but also as a pioneer in luxury travel solutions.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.