After a delay of about one month, Air India is all set to induct the first A320Neo aircraft into its fleet this week, which will make it the third domestic carrier to have this latest single-aisle plane from Airbus.
At present, two domestic carriers –IndiGo and GoAir — operate the fuel-efficient A320Neo planes in their fleet.
The national carrier has plans to induct a total of 29 A320 new engine option (Neo) into its fleet by March 2019.
While Air India has already tied up with three lessors — ALAFCO, GECAPS and CIT — for leasing of 22 planes, the process to select a bidder for the remaining seven such planes is underway.
“Our first Airbus A320Neo plane of the 14 such aircraft being leased from ALAFCO of Kuwait will arrive here on Wednesday from Toulouse,” an Air India official said today.
The induction of the new fuel-efficient aircraft into its fleet is aimed at augmenting the capacity in the market which is growing at a rate of over 20 per cent for nearly two years now.
I think the delay made is considerable. Taking into account the biannual growth rate of over 20% in the domestic market of Aviation, this new induction will help Air India to increase its market capacity as well fuel efficiency.
As per European aviation major Airbus’s claim, this new engine burns 15% less fuel than existing models.
An Airbus plane can be identified by the “sharklets”(winglets) made on either side of its wing.They are for fuel saving purpose on long sectors. Saving in fuel burn is also achieved by reinforcing cabin innovations. They are also said to provide improved field performance.
The new engine will operate with lesser noise.
After the arrival of AI’s first A320 Neo from ALAFCO tomorrow, it is going to enter a competition with 2 of its counterparts – GoAir & IndiGO. For the time being, these 3 will be the only domestic carriers to run A320 new planes.
The new A320 Neo will fly on Delhi-Chennai route twice a day from March.
