New Delhi: Air India's first Airbus A350-900 wide body aircraft has arrived in India. The aircraft with registration VT-JRA, which took off from the Airbus manufacturing plant in France, landed on the runway of Delhi airport at 01:46 pm on Saturday. With this, Tata Group-owned Air India has become the first airline to introduce the A350 aircraft in the country.
Air India has placed an order for 250 aircraft with European company Airbus. The first flight has arrived now. Of the 250 ordered, 20 are A350-900 wide-body aircraft. Apart from this, Air India has ordered 20 A350-1000 aircraft and 210 A320 Neo narrowbody aircraft. Next March, five more A350-900 wide-body aircraft will arrive for Air India.
Air India's A350-900 wide-body aircraft, which arrived in Delhi on Saturday, will begin service in January. Initially, this aircraft will be used for domestic route service. The aircraft will later be used for long-haul international services. Air India sources say that the schedule of the new flight will be released in the coming weeks.
The information about the arrival of the plane in India was released through the official X handle of Air India. Air India has also shared images of the new widebody aircraft, including a water salute.
The Air India flight that arrived today is the only Airbus wide-body aircraft currently operating in India. Indian companies use Boeing's wide-body aircraft. The now-defunct Jet Airways had a few Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft.
Wide-body aircraft are generally used for long-haul and ultra-haul services. Narrow body aircraft are used for domestic services and short international services.
The A350-900, which can carry 300 to 350 passengers, can cover a distance of 15,000 km in one go. Accommodating 350 to 410 passengers, the A350-1000 can travel 16,000 km non-stop.
Most of the aircraft currently in Air India's possession were purchased when the company was owned by the government. Tata Group acquired Air India in January 2022. At this time, many of the aircraft in the company's possession were damaged.
After the company was acquired by the Tata Group, the large order for the new aircraft was placed. Air India has placed an order for 470 aircraft. The order was for 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing. Air India's move is to expand its services and provide passengers with a world-class travel experience.
