Airlines

Revolutionizing Long-Haul Travel: Korean Air’s Airbus A350 Investment

Experience the next chapter in Korean Air’s journey with its landmark agreement to purchase 33 advanced Airbus A350 jets.

Korean Air, Flag Carrier of South Korea, will sign a contract with Airbus to purchase 33 state-of-the-art A350 family aircraft. The deal, which includes 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s, is valued at USD 13.7 billion.

This move comes as Korean air line prepares to integrate its operations with Asiana Airlines, therefore creating a dominant carrier in South Korea. Asiana Airlines is already operating a fleet of 15 Airbus A350-900. Furthermore, the A350 is favored by korean ải due to its lower emissions, with 25% less fuel burn and CO2 Emissions per seat, and is slated to be replacing its older aircraft as part of the Airline’s Fleet Renewal effort.

The Airbus A350-900 could accommodate 300-350 passengers in a three-class layout. It also has a range of 15,370km, which the airline plans to introduce for its long-haul routes such as Seoul to New York, which is currently operated by the 4 engine Boeing 747-8 aircraft. Furthermore, due to the slightly smaller capacity of this aircraft compared to the Boeing 747-8 aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 could be used to open up routes to destinations where previously demand was not sufficient for a Boeing 747 to fly the route. This could potentially see the airline operating routes to destinations once commercially inviable

The Airbus A350-1000 could accommodate 350-410 passengers in a three-class layout, with a range of 16,000km, therefore enabling the aircraft to deploy this high-density aircraft on routes with significantly more passenger demand. The purchase of the Airbus A350-1000 would see Korean Air joining operators such as Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and soon-to-be operator Starlux Airlines in operating the Airbus A350-1000. The A350-1000 is also unique due to its longest flight range amongst all existing passenger aircraft, operating up till 16,000km with a full payload.

This joins air Korean airlines existing order book of the following aircraft, bringing the total orders to 143 aircraft.

Aircraft Type	Numbers on Order
Airbus A321neo	50
Airbus A350-900	27
Airbus A350-1000	6
Boeing 787-9	10
Boeing 787-10	20
Boeing 737-8	30

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.