New Delhi:
Air India announced on Friday that it had operated the first ferry flight of its new livery A350-900 aircraft. The flight was from Singapore to Toulouse.
The new livery marks a new chapter for Air India and reflects the airline’s commitment to providing a modern and visually appealing experience to its passengers.
The airline shared the first images of its A350 aircraft on Friday.
“We are one step closer to the arrival of India’s most awaited aircraft. Our Airbus A350-900 has taken off on its first ferry flight from Singapore to Toulouse in Air India’s new livery,” X said. wrote.
A senior Air India official said the plane’s livery was painted in Singapore and is now returning to Toulouse for additional steps ahead of its scheduled delivery in December 2023.
Tata-owned Air India recently outlined ambitious expansion plans, with an order for 40 Airbus A350 aircraft to be consolidated in stages over the next few years.
“A total of 40 Airbus A350s are on order (6 A350-900s and 34 A350-1000s). The first A350-900 is scheduled for December 2023, with the remaining 5 A350-900s on order. is scheduled by March 2024,” an Air India official said.
Air India’s management is yet to finalize the routes for its Airbus A350 aircraft. According to an official, “Initially, it will be deployed on domestic flights for the purpose of acclimatizing crew members.”
Air India has secured orders for 250 Airbus aircraft and 220 new Boeing flights, with a total list price of $70 billion.
The strategic move comes as the airline looks to turn around under new owner Tata. Air India signed purchase agreements for these aircraft with Airbus and Boeing during the Paris Air Show in June this year.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)