GURUGRAM- Tata Group-owned IFSC Air India (AI) has purchased six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft previously operated by UAE’s flag carrier Etihad Airways (EY), marking its first acquisition of this aircraft type in over seven years.
This move, executed through its subsidiary in GIFT City (GID), strengthens its long-haul fleet amid rising air traffic demand, PTI reported.
The acquisition aligns with Air India’s five-year transformation plan under Tata Group ownership, addressing supply chain constraints delaying fleet refurbishments.
These aircraft, already integrated into the fleet at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), enhance capacity for ultra-long-haul routes.
Photo: JetPhotos SpotterAir India Buys Six 777-300ER
Air India’s latest move reflects its strategy to maintain and grow long-haul capacity while dealing with industry-wide delivery delays.
The six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft—previously operated by Etihad Airways (EY)—were acquired as their lease terms neared expiration. Instead of returning the aircraft to the lessor, Air India opted to permanently acquire them through its subsidiary, AI Fleet Services Ltd, based in GIFT City, Gujarat.
These wide-body aircraft offer extended range and are configured in four classes: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. They began entering Air India’s fleet in 2023 and are now part of the carrier’s broader expansion and transformation plans under the Tata Group, which acquired the airline in January 2022.
The decision comes as Air India faces refurbishment delays across its fleet due to global supply chain issues. Its ongoing $400 million retrofit program covers 67 legacy aircraft, including 13 existing Boeing 777-300ERs and 27 787 Dreamliners.
The airline confirmed that its first legacy 787 will enter retrofit in June 2025, while all 27 A320neo aircraft are expected to be upgraded by Q3 2025.
By Russell Lee Photography from England – Etihad A330, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40842618Four Class Configuration
The Boeing 777-300ERs are configured with a four-class layout, including First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy seats, catering to diverse passenger needs on high-demand international routes.
The aircraft are primarily deployed on ultra-long-haul routes, such as those to Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR), and New York (JFK), where extended range and capacity are critical.
This acquisition marks Air India’s first purchase of Boeing 777s since 2018, when it received its last aircraft under a 2005 order during its government-owned era.
Photo: Robin HardyTata Takeover and Makeover
Since its acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022, Air India has pursued an ambitious five-year transformation plan named Vihaan.AI. The plan focuses on fleet expansion, network growth, and service enhancements to capitalize on India’s booming air traffic demand.
The airline has ordered 570 new aircraft, including 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing planes, with options for 70 additional Boeing jets. The six Boeing 777-300ERs complement these efforts, providing immediate capacity while new aircraft deliveries are phased in over the coming years.
Air India’s fleet currently comprises 198 aircraft, including 67 legacy wide-body and narrow-body planes. Of these, 19 are Boeing 777-300ERs (including the six ex-Etihad aircraft), eight are Boeing 777-200LRs, 27 are legacy Boeing 787-8s, seven are Boeing 787-9s, and six are Airbus A350-600s.
Additionally, the airline operates 131 narrow-body aircraft, including Airbus A321s, A320s, and A319s. Over half of the fleet—106 aircraft—feature new or upgraded cabin interiors.
The airline’s new aircraft acquisitions and retrofit initiatives are part of a broader push to modernize the brand and improve the passenger experience. The updated interiors include redesigned seats in all cabin classes, refreshed lavatories, carpets, curtains, and a new livery under the revitalized Air India branding.
Photo: The QuintCampbell Wilson on Supply Chain Issues
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson addressed the global supply chain issues impacting aircraft deliveries and refurbishments.
Speaking on March 18, he highlighted constraints such as engine shortages, seat supply delays, and fuselage component bottlenecks. These issues, he warned, could persist for another four to five years.
Wilson emphasized that these supply limitations affect not just Air India but the entire global aviation sector. He noted that leasing additional aircraft is difficult due to high demand, and operating planes with varying configurations can add operational complexity instead of solving capacity shortages.
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