Air India Commences Upgradation Of Old Fleet, Likely To Complete By Mid-2025

Aimed at upgrading the seats, carpets and cabins, Air India has commenced its USD 400 million revamp programme for 27 Airbus A320neo and 40 widebody Boeing. The airline started the refit programme with A320 (VT-EXN) on Monday and expected the project of upgrading its 27 legacy A320neo planes to be completed by mid-2025.

As per the statement from the airline, the retrofitting of 40 legacy widebody planes would start after the upgrade of A320neo planes. Air India’s engineering team along with global equipment makers like Collins, Astronics and Thales among others will coordinate the retrofit project.

Around 15,000 next-generation seats across premium economy, business and economy classes will be installed as part of the exercise. The VT-EXN, which went into the hangar, is likely to re-enter operations in December 2024 after prototyping and necessary regulatory approvals. As per the company, the aeroplane will join other eight operational Air India A320neo aircraft that already possess the upgraded configurations.

As part of the exercise, around three to four aircraft will undergo retrofit every month and the upgradation of the full narrowbody fleet is scheduled to be completed by mid-2025.

As far as the current operations are concerned, Air India operates a fleet consisting of 142 aircraft, which includes 60 widebody planes. As part of the fleet, the airline has 11 B77 aircraft and 25 A320 family planes which the airline has taken on lease.

Tata Group has gone ahead with the revamp of the airline through the implementation of a transformation plan since acquiring Air India in January 2022. By deploying bodywide A350 planes on various routes, the airline has worked upon expanding the fleet as well as the network as part of the strategy.