Air India has solidified a significant 12-year agreement with SIA Engineering Company Ltd (SIAEC) to ensure extensive component support for its Airbus A320 family planes. The deal aims to enhance the reliability and availability of components crucial for the airline’s operations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Air India disclosed that under this long-term agreement, the airline’s current fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft will benefit from comprehensive component support coverage provided by SIAEC. This support includes access to SIAEC’s inventory pool and extends to repair and overhaul services for airframe and on-wing engine components.
Moreover, Air India has also engaged SIAEC for Inventory Technical Management (ITM), further reinforcing their collaboration in ensuring optimal maintenance and operational efficiency.
Air India A320 latest order
Currently, Air India operates approximately 60 aircraft from the A320 family, including A320s and A321s, out of its total fleet of 123 aircraft. Additionally, the airline has placed an order for 210 more A320 family aircraft, hinting at its commitment to expand and modernise its fleet.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, expressed confidence that this collaboration will strengthen the airline’s repairs and maintenance capabilities for the Airbus A320 family, ultimately enhancing the reliability of its operations.
SIAEC’s CEO Chin Yau Seng expressed gratitude for being selected as Air India Group’s preferred Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) partner. Chin Yau Seng said, “We are honoured to be selected as Air India Group’s preferred MRO partner for the component requirements and appreciative of their confidence in our Inventory Technical Management programme.”
“Together with our network of joint venture companies and component shops located across the Asia Pacific region, we are confident to deliver a high quality and reliable service to Air India Group,” he added.
SIAEC is part of the Singapore Airlines Group. The proposed merger of Vistara with Tata Group-owned Air India under a deal, wherein Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India that was announced in November 2022, is in progress. Full service carrier Vistara is a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines.
(With inputs from PTI)