The orders include as many as 400 narrow-body jets and 100 or more wide-bodies, including dozens of Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s and 777s, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity as finishing touches are placed on the mammoth deal in coming days.
It would also allow Airbus to secure a home for some A350 production slots initially earmarked for Russia’s Aeroflot and now left open because of war-related sanctions against Moscow. The potential blockbuster order comes days after Tata announced the merger of Air India with Vistara, a joint-venture with Singapore Airlines, to create a bigger full-service carrier and strengthen its presence in domestic and international skies.
Founded by JRD Tata in 1932, Air India was nationalised in 1953. Tata regained control in January and has since been working to revive its reputation as a world-class airline. Delivered over the next decade, the 500 jets would replace and expand fleets in the world’s fastest-growing air travel market, while contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of expanding the economy to $5 trillion.
One industry source said new Boeing 737 MAXs will most likely go to Air India Express, the company’s budget operator which could be renamed.
I dar