Airlines

Saudi Arabia to order 40 A350s for new national airline RIA

To start a new airline and compete with Gulf heavyweight carriers, Saudi Arabia order 40 A350s.

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Saudi Arabia is in advanced talks with Airbus to purchase over 40 A350 aircraft as part of a larger, multi-billion dollar effort to start a new airline and compete with Gulf heavyweight carriers.

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People familiar with the situation informed Reuters on October 23, 2022, that the new aircraft would eventually join the fleet of the nation’s forthcoming national airline, Riyadh-based RIA. The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund might make the official announcement of the acquisition, which is expected to be valued at around $12 billion at list prices, during the Future Investment Initiative summit, which is slated to take place between October 25 and October 27, 2022.

A $100 billion investment in the aviation industry over the next eight years, the majority of which would go toward developing a new national carrier operating international routes, is one of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. The nation hopes to start operations with the new airline in the fourth quarter of 2022 and expects to serve at least 30 million travellers annually, up from the existing 4 million.

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The PIF-backed airline will face competition from other significant regional carriers including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates. Huge funding is being provided to the PIF’s aviation division in order to establish an ecosystem of cargo and passenger airlines and airports. The PIF is purchasing and leasing options for a fleet that might eventually contain 200 aircraft, the source said.

Arabian Business reported that the nation will invest $30 billion in the new airline, which will focus on more than 150 routes in 80 different nations.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.