The Air India corporate headquarters in Mumbai, India, on Oct. 19, 2021.FRANCIS MASCARENHAS/Reuters
India dominated the Paris Airshow for a second day on Tuesday, as Air India finalized a huge order for 470 planes from Airbus and Boeing BA-N.
The agreement, when sketched out in February, was the largest ever plane deal by number of aircraft. But it was surpassed on Day 1 of the Paris show by Indian rival IndiGo’s order for 500 Airbus narrow-body jets.
Finalizing the deal puts it in the aerospace industry’s order backlogs as firm orders. Until now, it was only a preliminary deal. Air India said it was worth US$70-billion at list prices, though airlines typically get discounts on big orders worth at least half the headline price, analysts say.
Efforts by Indian airlines to keep pace with the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, serving the largest population, have sent industry records tumbling even though manufacturers are struggling to meet output goals owing to supply chain snags.
But some analysts have expressed concern that airlines could be over-ordering jets in pursuit of the same passengers.
Air India’s deal includes 250 planes from Airbus and 220 from Boeing. The Airbus part comprises 210 A320neo and A321neo narrow-body jets and 40 A350 wide-bodies. Boeing’s deal is for 190 narrow-body 737 Maxs, plus 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X wide-bodies.
“Our ambitious fleet renewal and expansion program will see Air India operate the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft across our route network within five years,” Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson said in a statement.
The buying spree by Indian airlines adds to signs of strong global demand for civilian aircraft as travel rebounds from the pandemic and airlines look to reduce their environmental impact with more fuel-efficient new models.
Demand has been hottest for short- and medium-haul narrow-body jets, but engine maker Rolls-Royce said on Tuesday the market for long-haul wide-bodies was also coming back strongly.
However, plane makers and their suppliers remain concerned about their ability to meet bulging order books amid rising costs, parts shortages and a scarcity of skilled workers.
Lars Wagner, CEO of MTU Aero Engines, said on Tuesday labour shortages and problems with the production of castings were the biggest strains in the engine supply chain.
Air India, with its maharajah mascot, was once known for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service, but its reputation declined in the mid-2000s as financial troubles mounted.
Its renaissance under the Tata conglomerate aims to capitalize on India’s growing base of fliers and large diaspora, currently mostly served by foreign rivals such as Emirates.
The mega-order will also put Air India on a stronger footing to compete with budget rival IndiGo, which has a majority share of the Indian market and a strong position in regional flights.
Elsewhere at the show on Tuesday, Ethiopian Airlines said it expected to announce an order for about 130 Airbus and Boeing planes shortly after the event.
Leasing company Avolon finalized an order for 40 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, while Philippine Airlines firmed up an order for nine Airbus A350-1000 wide-body jets and Qantas finalized a deal for nine Airbus A220-300s, confirming a Reuters report.