Tata Group’s Air India orders 85 more planes from Airbus, to be merged with Vistara

Tata Group-controlled Air India has ordered 85 more aircraft from Airbus, including 10 A350 planes, in view of its plans to expand its operations, sources said. Sources said the 85 aircraft ordered from Airbus include 75 narrow-body A320 series aircraft and 10 wide-body A350 aircraft. There was no comment from Air India or Airbus on this development. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus had said on Wednesday that it had received orders for 667 aircraft till September this year. It received one of these orders for 85 aircraft on September 5, but it did not disclose the name of the airline.

Earlier an order for 470 aircraft was placed

According to sources, this order of 85 aircraft has been given to Boeing by Air India itself. Air India had ordered a total of 470 aircraft to Airbus and Boeing in February 2023. While placing an order for the purchase of 250 aircraft from Airbus, the airline had said that it would also have the option to buy more aircraft. Sources said that Air India has exercised this option by ordering 85 more aircraft. Since taking control of Air India from the government in January 2022, the Tata Group has been trying to expand and restructure its operations.

There is a merger with Vistara

Tata Group airlines – Air India, Air India Express and Vistara – made continuous announcements inside the flights on Thursday remembering Ratan Tata. The aviation sector was particularly close to Ratan Tata’s heart. 86-year-old Ratan Tata, who was also the honorary chairman of Tata Sons, breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday night. Ratan Tata’s death comes at a time when the group is in the process of completing the integration of its airline business. The integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect was completed on October 1, while Vistara is scheduled to merge with Air India on November 12.