Due to a dearth of pilots who can fly larger aircraft like the B 747, Air India has had to rely on its smaller aircraft (Boeing 787 Dreamliner) to evacuate Indians stranded in war-torn Ukraine.
In the first six evacuation planes from Ukraine, which began five days ago, about 1,400 Indians had returned to India.
If Air India had been able to send a larger plane, such as a B 747, more people may have been evacuated. A B 747 can carry up to 600 passengers, whereas a B 787 Dreamliner can only carry 330 passengers. Due to repairs, the Boeing 744 simulator was removed, and pilots were forced to use the Singapore Airlines simulator in the meByantime.
Air India has declined to comment on the pilot shortage.
“Aviation positioning is determined by a variety of criteria, including aircraft availability, ground handling infrastructure at destination airports, fuel efficiency, and so on. Because of operational and infrastructure constraints. Air India is now using B 787 planes,” a representative for the airline told TNIE.
Air India has 141 aircraft, including 24 Boeing B737-800s operated by Air India Express.
- A total of 43 of these are leased.
- Airbus (A319-100, A320-200, A320-200neo, A321-200) and Boeing (B747-400, B777-200(LR), B777-300(ER), and B787-800) aircraft make up Air India’s fleet.
- Meanwhile, several Indian airlines are already transporting stranded Indians back to India from Ukraine.
Stay Informed with us !
