Summary
- Air India Express receives its first two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, marking the beginning of deliveries from a massive order of 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
- The first two aircraft were initially designated for airlines in China but are now being delivered to Air India Express due to inventory surplus at the Boeing factory.
- With the new aircraft, Air India Express plans to expand its domestic and international network, offering more fuel-efficient and technologically advanced flights to its customers.
Air India Express, a subsidiary of the Indian flag carrier, Air India, receives its first two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This marks the beginning of the aircraft deliveries from the massive order of 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft placed by the Air India Group in February.
The first two 737 MAX 8s, delivered at the Boeing’s delivery center in Seattle, Washington, are part of the total 190 of the type on order by the airline group. Of the total order, Air India Express is expected to receive 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by next year.
Air India Express has begun taking the delivery of the first two of the 55 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that were initially designated for various airlines in China. With an inventory surplus at the Boeing factory, the manufacturer is remarketing select 737 MAXs to be delivered to Air India Express.
Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen/Shutterstock
The first two aircraft were initially destined for Shanghai Airlines and China Southern Airlines in China. The aircraft are painted in the airline’s livery after the completion of the necessary flight tests. The airline is expected to receive another eight of the type in coming months.
Plans for network expansion
Air India Express plans to expand its domestic and international network as deliveries of new aircraft come in. The Boeing 737 MAX family is one of the most fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft in its class. The airline aims to elevate its aircraft offerings for its customers. With the recent privatization, all eyes are on the airline group and its performance across airline groups. The airline stated during the press release,
The 737 MAX-8 aircraft marks a critical step forward towards more sustainable operations. With its advanced technology winglets and efficient engines, it achieves a 20% reduction in fuel use and emissions while also significantly decreasing noise pollution by 50% compared to older models. This also offers up to 14 percent lower airframe maintenance costs.
The recent interline arrangement
Since the historic order of 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, the Air India Group has been in the limelight concerning its plans for network expansion across various airlines. Air India Express is known for operating small to medium haul routes, primarily connect both major and secondary cities in India.
Photo: Airbus
The budget subsidiary of the Air India Group has secured an interline arrangement with AirAsia India (now known as AIX Connect). The AIX Connect is the wholly owned subsidiary of Air India Limited, and essentially the Tata Group.
The agreement is in line with the airline’s plan to expand its network through interline agreements and codeshares. The arrangement allows passengers to travel across the domestic and international networks of both airlines on a single itinerary.
The arrangement covers over 100 routes served by the collective fleet of 56 aircraft. Both airlines aim to share a single website and ticketing system where passengers can easily book, manage, and check-in to their flights across the combined network.
What are your thoughts on the delivery of first two Boeing 737 MAX 8 for Air India Express? Have you recently traveled with the airline? Share your experience in the comments section.