Marking a new dawn in the Indian aviation sector, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday unveiled India’s first ‘Airbus A350’ aircraft on the first day of Wings India 2024.
The arrival of state-of-the-art aircraft not only bolsters Air India’s aircraft fleet but also signifies the country’s growing stature as a global player in the aviation industry worldwide.
Terming the development as a milestone like never before, Scindia said this state-of-the-art aircraft will elevate travel experience of passengers, enable fuel efficiency, and provide a significant uplift to Indian Aviation in both domestic and international sectors.
“The A350 is a game-changer for Air India,” Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India Cambell Wilson said. “It will not only elevate our passenger experience but also open up new routes and opportunities for expansion. Together with the full interior refit of our legacy widebody aircraft beginning mid-2024, this upgradation of fleet and product is a key pillar of returning Air India to the upper echelons of world aviation,” he informed.
The coming of the A350 coincides with a period of rapid growth and transformation for Air India. The airline is undergoing a comprehensive transformation aimed at renewing its fleet, expanding its global route network.
Notably, India will need 2,840 new aircraft and 41,000 pilots as well as 47,000 technical staff in the next 20 years, Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia said on Thursday.
On the sidelines of Wings India 2024, Maillard said Airbus will double its sourcing from India to USD 1.5 billion by the end of the decade from the existing USD 750 million.
He said that last year Airbus got orders for 750 aircraft and delivered 75 units to Indian carriers including 41 to Indigo, 19 to Air India, 14 to Vistara, and 1 to Go First Airlines.
“India is a force that will power global aviation over the next decades…the forecast is that India will require 2,840 new aircraft over the next 20 years to serve the needs of its growing aviation market,” he mentioned
Decoding Airbus A350
Fitted with powerful and fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the Airbus boosts world’s most efficient large aero-engine, using the best technology and materials while benefiting from more than 70 million hours of in-service experience.
The juxtaposition of these advanced tech results in 25 percent lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions, improving the sustainability of air travel.
It is pertinent to note that the aircraft’s impressive range of up to 9,700nm (18,000 km) enables non-stop flights from India to destinations in the US, Canada, and Australia. Further the aircraft offers wider cabins, larger windows, mood lighting, and advanced entertainment systems and comes with world-class cabin products, setting a new benchmark for passenger experience on Indian airlines. Air India’s A350-900 comes with 316 seats in a three-class cabin configuration.
The Business class aboard Air India’s A350-900 features 28 private suites in a 1-2-1 configuration, each encompassing direct aisle access and sliding privacy doors.
The exclusive Premium Economy cabin on Air India’s A350-900 has 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, offering ample legroom with 38 inches of seat pitch, 18.5 inches of seat width, and an 8-inch recline. Each seat has a 4-way adjustable headrest and leg rest with a foot paddle for customised comfort, a 13.3-inch HD touchscreen, and universal AC and USB-A power outlets.
The Economy Class has 264 seats in a 3-4-3 configuration, each with 31 inches of seat pitch, 17.5 inches of seat width, 6 inches of recline, a 4-way adjustable headrest, and a 12-inch HD touchscreen for a comfortable yet stylish flying experience that delivers value for money.
Earlier, Air India’s A350 entered commercial service on January 22, 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation on flights to and from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The aircraft will be subsequently deployed on international routes.
Notably, Air India’s first A350, registered VT-JRA, is the first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024.