Air India inaugurated its – as also India’s – first Airbus A350 aircraft, describing it as a game changer for the airline.
“The A350 is a game changer for Air India,” the airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said.
The wide-body aircraft was inaugurated by India’s Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia at the ongoing aviation show ‘Wings India 2024’ in Hyderabad on Thursday.
The carrier’s first A350-900 arrived in India last month and is scheduled to start commercial operations, initially on domestic routes, from January 22, PTI reported.
Later on, the plane will be deployed for long- and ultra-long-haul international flights.
Wilson said the A350 aircraft will not only elevate the passenger experience but also open up new routes and opportunities for expansion.
“Together with the full interior refit of our legacy wide-body aircraft commencing mid-2024, this up-gradation of fleet and product is a key pillar of returning Air India to the upper echelons of world aviation,” he said.
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.
The airline’s orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000 planes as well.
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