Air India restructuring itself under Tata, not commenting on A350 aircraft order: Airbus CCO

Doha, Jun 19 (PTI) Airbus is restructuring itself under the “capable leadership” of the Tata Group and is looking to create new opportunities to increase its share in the international passenger market, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer said here on Sunday. Wants to invest in aircraft.

Sherer was asked by journalists on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual general meeting here whether Air India has finalized an order for A350 aircraft with Airbus.

The European airline’s chief commercial officer said in response, “I will not comment on this.”

His remarks came after news last week that Tata Group-owned Air India has decided to buy its first fleet of wide-body A350 aircraft from Airbus. According to the news, the first aircraft will be delivered to the airline by March 2023.

However, at the moment it is not clear how many A350 aircraft Air India will buy.

Sherer said, “Air India is clearly restructuring itself under the very capable leadership of Tata and as such, it is only natural that they look at investing in new fleets, new aircraft. This has to be done to gain more share in the international market.”

Air India has not bought a single aircraft since 2006. At that time he had placed an order to buy 111 aircraft.