NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the deal between Air India and Airbus under which the Tata-owned carrier will acquire 250 aircraft and said India’s growing aviation sector would need over 2,000 aircraft in the next 15 years.
The comments by PM Modi came at an online event at which the purchase of Airbus aircraft was announced. Modi said the “landmark deal” reflects the deepening ties between India and France, as well as the successes and aspirations of India’s civil aviation sector.
“Our civil aviation sector is an integral part of India’s development. Strengthening the civil aviation sector is an important aspect of our national infrastructure policy,” he said.
Tata Sons in a major boost to Indian aviation announced that its carrier Air India has signed a letter of intent to buy 250 aircraft from European manufacturer Airbus, including 210 narrow-body and 40 wide-body A350 planes.
Speaking at an Air India-Airbus event, Chandrasekaran said the wide-body A350 aircraft will be used to fly all ultra-long distances across the world. The airline has placed an order for 210 narrow-body A320neo jets.
The virtual event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ratan Tata, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Guillaume Faury, and Air India Chairman Campbell Wilson.
Tata Group under the govt led divestment process in January 2022 acquired a 100% stake in full services carrier Air India and a 100 % stake in its arm Air India Express. Tata Sons-owned Air India currently has a fleet of 113 aircraft. The group’s total fleet size stands at 219, including AirAsia India with 28 planes, Vistara at 54 aircraft, and Air India Express at 24 jets.