Air India is planning to acquire a dedicated fleet of freighter aircraft, approximately up to 80 in the next 20 years. Air India currently has 117 passenger planes but does not have any freighters in its fleet at present.
Air India could purchase up to 80 freighters over the next two decades and take advantage of the sharp rise in e-commerce demand, as per sources.
Air India is undergoing a considerable transformation under its new management, and cargo is one seems to be one of its areas of interest in the 5-year ‘Vihaan’ plan charted by the management. Experts believe that the carrier will mull over bringing in freighter aircraft to add to its belly capacity to share the pie in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector in India.
Going ahead, the airline is planning to kick-start its next phase of transformation called take-off phase. In an internal communication to the employees, Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India said: “About 400 new cabin crew members will be deployed in the coming weeks, with another 1,400 in training.”
The airline’s first Airbus A350 is preparing to enter service, while six Boeing 777-300ERs are to join the long-haul fleet this year.