Airbus Experiences Major Success with Air India Relaunch: Wins 235 Single-Aisle Jet Orders

Airbus and Boeing have been locked in a fierce battle for orders from Indian carriers in recent years and the new Air India order is a major win for the European planemaker. On January 27th, Air India is set to announce a historic purchase of some 495 jets, with the order being roughly split between European planemaker Airbus and rival Boeing. The order will include a total of 425 single-aisle jets, with 235 of them being Airbus A320neo-family planes and 190 being Boeing 737 MAX airliners. Additionally, the order is also expected to include up to 70 widebody long-haul aircraft, including up to 40 Airbus A350s, some 20 Boeing 787s, and 10 Boeing 777X planes.

The order from Air India is a major win for both Airbus and Boeing. Airbus consolidates its position in India as the leading supplier of narrow-body planes. Their A320neo family is currently the biggest customer of India’s largest carrier, IndiGo. For Boeing, the order is a breakthrough as they have been lagging behind Airbus in the fast-growing market. With the new order, they can now look forward to increased business from start-up Akasa Air and SpiceJet.

The Air India order is also a major win for the Tata Group conglomerate, which regained control of the flag carrier a year ago, launching an ambitious shake-up and renewal of the airline. With the new purchase of jets, Tata Group plans to transform Air India into a “world-class airline” in five years. The order also has the potential to overshadow a combined order for 460 Airbus and Boeing jets from American Airlines over a decade ago.

The order from Air India marks an exciting time for both Airbus and Boeing, and could potentially become one of the biggest plane orders by a single airline in terms of volume.