Air India is exploring the possibility of acquiring Boeing aircraft that were initially intended for Chinese airlines, Bloomberg reported on April 21, 2025, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.
The airline intends to approach Boeing regarding a batch of aircraft that were originally designated for Chinese customers, the media outlet reported, citing its sources. In addition, Air India is also wanting to secure additional delivery slots for aircraft, should they become available.
The carrier has reportedly benefited from China’s hesitance in the past - through March, it had accepted 41 737 Max jets originally built for Chinese airlines. Their deliveries had been deferred due to issues including safety concerns with lithium batteries in the planes’ cockpit voice recorders.
China recently told its airlines to stop taking deliveries of aircraft from Boeing, as part of reactionary measures to US tariffs. Media reports state that China has also asked that its carriers halt any purchase of aircraft related equipment and parts from US companies.
The Chinese government is supposedly considering ways to provide assistance to airlines that lease Boeing jets and are facing higher costs.
The Tata Group-owned carrier is the latest airline to express a desire to purchase additional aircraft. The Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) - parent company of Malaysia Airlines - is exploring the possibility of accelerating its Boeing aircraft acquisition timeline, following delivery slots potentially vacated by Chinese carriers, MAG managing director Izham Ismail told Malaysian state news outlet Bernama.
Ismail stated that the group views the situation as a “potential window” to secure earlier- than-expected aircraft deliveries from Boeing, although competition among global carriers for available slots remains intense.