• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Sat, 23 Dec 2023 06:56 PM (IST)
  • Source:ANI
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Air India on Saturday received the delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, making it the first Indian carrier to have this type of airliner in its fleet. The aircraft that became the latest addition to Air India's fleet is the first of the 20 A350-900 ordered by the Tata Group-owned airline. 

"Air India, India's leading global airline, today welcomed the first of 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, registered VT-JRA, in the airline's bold new livery, marking a turning point in its ongoing transformation story," Air India said in an official statement.

The aircraft reached New Delhi at 01:46 pm (local time) on Saturday from the Airbus facility in the French city of Toulouse. The delivery flight, operated under a special call sign "AI350", was welcomed by Air India representatives. Captain Monika Batra Vaidya, a Senior Commander with the airline who is among the first few Indian pilots to be trained on A350, was on board as an observer.

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Air India is expected to receive the deliveries of five more A350-900s through March 2024 for the order placed with Airbus. The aircraft type is set to enter commercial service in January 2024. Initially, it will be operated by Air India on domestic routes for crew familiarisation before it is put to use for carrying international flyers.

The schedule of commercial operations with the A350 will be announced in the coming weeks. Air India's A350-900 aircraft comes in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace: 28 private Business Class suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and multiple other differentiating features, and 264 spacious Economy Class seats.

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Air India was also the first Indian airline to have inducted the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet type in 2012. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said that the moment marked a red-letter day for all at Air India.

"The A350 is not just metal and engines; it's the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline's continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation's resurgence on the world stage," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)