Infrastructure
Taking Off To New Heights: Air India, IndiGo Acquire Import Permissions For 970 Aircraft, To Fuel India's Aviation Sector
- The approval of 970 aircraft marks a significant milestone in India's aviation history.
Air India And IndiGo. (Media India Group)
Air India Ltd. and IndiGo have received in-principle import permissions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a total of 970 aircraft.
The DGCA has granted in-principle approval to Air India and IndiGo, allowing them to import 470 and 500 aircraft, respectively.
This decision aims to boost India's aviation industry and meet the increasing demand for air travel in the country, according to Dr V K Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The approval of 970 aircraft marks a significant milestone in India's aviation history.
Air India's models include 210 units of the A320 Neo family, 140 units of the B737 family, 40 units of the A350 family, 10 B777-9s, 20 B787-9s, and 50 B737-8s. IndiGo, on the other hand, will acquire 500 aircraft from the A320 Neo family.
Singh believes that the decision to acquire new aircraft will bring significant changes for both Air India and IndiGo. It will allow them to update their fleets and improve their operations.
The exact cost of acquiring these aircraft has not been disclosed, as it is a commercial matter between the airlines and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
However, this strategic investment is expected to increase the airlines' capacity, enhance passenger services, and potentially create job opportunities in the aviation sector.
According to the Economic Times report, DGCA considered various factors before granting approval, including the availability of parking slots for the new aircraft, during the import process.
To ensure a smooth import and prevent operational disruptions, the DGCA has mandated that airlines share their induction plans with airport operators. This will ensure that sufficient parking slots are available for the new fleet from 2023 to 2035, as per the airlines' proposed plans.
During a Rajya Sabha session, Minister Singh provided information about the current fleet size of scheduled operators in the country.
According to DGCA, there are currently 729 aircraft listed on the Air Operator Certificate. Singh also mentioned that the collective fleet size of major domestic airlines is projected to reach approximately 1,600 within the next seven years.
With the growth of the aviation sector, this decision is expected to have positive effects on the overall economy. It will create opportunities for increased connectivity, tourism, and trade.
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