Aviation A2Z GURUGRAM- Tata-owned Air India (AI) is poised to welcome the first of its 470 ordered aircraft, with the Airbus A350 (VT-JRA) [F-WZFZ] scheduled to land at Delhi Airport (DEL) on Saturday morning, according to sources familiar with the matter told Mint.
Regulatory approvals for the engineering line maintenance of the A350 were obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this month.
Photo: Air India
Air India A350
An Air India official stated, “The aircraft will be put into commercial domestic flight operations for metro-to-metro connectivity by the end of January, as it will take at least 3-4 weeks since its arrival in India to complete extensive checks and approvals.”
The A350-900, manufactured by Airbus, boasts a non-stop flight time of 16-17 hours and a maximum range of up to 20 hours. For Air India, this aircraft is anticipated to provide a competitive advantage in the long-haul segment from India.
Among the 70 wide-body aircraft ordered by Air India, the A350-900 is highlighted for its fuel efficiency, burning 25% less fuel than its older counterparts, as per Airbus.
In February, Air India placed an extensive order for 70 wide-body and 400 narrow-body aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. This order encompasses 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing B787s, and 10 Boeing B777-9s for wide-body operations, as well as 210 Airbus A320/321 Neos and 190 Boeing B737 MAX single-aisle aircraft.
Within the Rolls Royce engine-powered A350 category, Air India initially ordered 34 Airbus A350-1000s and six A350-900 wide-body jets. Later, the order was revised to 20 aircraft each for both segments.
The initial six A350s to join Air India’s fleet were initially designated for Russian airline Aeroflot. These aircraft are configured with 28 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 264 economy seats.
Photo: Air India
Technical Training
Leading up to the aircraft’s induction, the airline dispatched engineers from Air India, Vistara, and AIX Connect—also owned by the Tata Group—for training at the Airbus center in Toulouse.
This initiative aims to ensure that all necessary checks, maintenance, and repairs are seamlessly executed at Air India facilities from the outset.
Approximately 50 engineers have already undergone training and are in the process of obtaining licenses to approve checks on the A350 aircraft, according to a second official familiar with the development.
As the number of A350s in the fleet increases, the engineering and maintenance team dedicated to the A350 will also expand.
“We will induct five more A350-900 by March-April. We expect these to be operational by May,” the official added.
Photo: Air India
3-4 Weeks Before Entering Commercial Flights
Equipped with its inaugural A350, the airline has been actively pursuing approvals for creating manuals covering operations, engineering, and ground handling, as well as ensuring the availability of spares.
Upon the aircraft’s arrival in India, a 3-4 week period will be dedicated to conducting comprehensive checks, which include verifying emergency evacuation procedures and completing extensive documentation.
During its initial phase, the aircraft is anticipated to be utilized for domestic flights. Airbus, the European aerospace major, is collaborating with Air India to facilitate the A350’s entry into service. This involves providing pilot and maintenance training, along with securing all necessary validations from the Indian regulator.
An Airbus spokesperson emphasized incorporating Indian components and parts in the A350, stating, “As with all our other commercial aircraft, the A350 will have key parts and technologies designed, built, and maintained in India. Many of their components and parts will come from Indian companies, and advanced technologies will come from the Airbus India Engineering Centre in Bengaluru.”
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The post Air India’s First A350 to Land at Delhi Airport Tomorrow appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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