Air India Welcomes First Airbus A350-900: Milestone in Transformation Journey
In a noteworthy event marking a significant milestone in its transformation journey, Air India, under the Tata Group’s ownership, received its inaugural Airbus A350-900 aircraft on December 23. The aircraft, identified by the registration VT-JRA, embarked on its journey from the Airbus production base in Toulouse, France, and arrived in New Delhi at 1:46 pm. The delivery flight, assigned the unique call sign AI350, was received by Air India representatives.
A Historic Flight
Adding a touch of prominence to the flight was the inclusion of Senior Commander Captain Monika Batra Vaidya, one of the pioneer Indian pilots trained to pilot the A350. Air India’s CEO and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, emphasized the significance of the event, underscoring the A350 as a symbol of both the airline’s evolution and the global resurgence of Indian aviation.
Airbus A350-900: A Symbol of Progress
The Airbus A350-900 introduces a three-class configuration with a capacity of 316 seats, comprising 28 Business Class suites, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 264 Economy Class seats. Each seat is outfitted with the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment systems. Wilson highlighted the aircraft’s potential to offer a superior long-haul travel experience and its synergy with Air India’s operational and sustainability goals.
Upcoming Operations
The A350 is set to commence commercial operations in January 2024, initially serving domestic routes for crew training, followed by international long-haul flights. Air India has placed an order for a total of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with an anticipation of five more deliveries by March 2024. This order forms part of a larger procurement of 250 new aircraft from Airbus, including 20 A350-1000 models.