MUMBAI- Tata Group-Owned Air India (AI) is the first Indian carrier to place an order for Boeing 777X. It is one of the few early carriers that has placed an order for yet-to-be-certified widebody aircraft.
However, the concern is why they ordered 777X and when they can get them. So we dig deeper as there is not much information available and no articles that estimate the delivery schedule.
Air India Boeing 777X Update
First of all, Air India has placed an order for 10 Boeing 777X aircraft. This was part of a major Boeing order placed at the Paris Air Show 2023.
Just to refresh your memory, Air India placed the largest-ever Boeing order in South Asia for 220 aircraft (firm 220 and with options 290) which includes:
- 190 737 MAX family jets,
- 20 787 Dreamliners, and
- 10 777X (777-9).
While the option included 50 more 737 MAXs and 20 787s.
Now we will discuss why Air India ordered 777X and later see its potential delivery timeline.
Why Air India Ordered 777X?
You all will be surprised to know that Air India’s Paris Air Show order came after 17 years. Yes, they last placed an order in 2005 for 68 Boeing Jets which included 23 777 family aircraft, including eight 777-200LRs, 15 777-300ERs, and 27 787-8 Dreamliners.
They also placed an order for 43 Airbus Jets in 2005. A total of 111 aircraft were ordered worth $10.8 Billion. Alright here are some of the reasons why 777X is a good fit for Air India.
Replacement for 747s
Air India has been a customer of Boeing for over 50 years. It has operated Boeing 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, and operates 777s and 787s all the narrow and widebody aircraft that Boeing has produced. So it can always get a better-negotiated deal with them.
Boeing 777X will act as a replacement for the 747 which carried more than 400 passengers and make its own new segment.
777-9 has a similar seating capacity as the 747, better fuel efficiency, modern design, and most importantly a twin-engine airliner so less maintenance cost.
Minimal Training
The 777X is not a new aircraft type but a modified version of the 777 family so Air India will not have to spend more on training its Pilots, Cabin Crews, Engineers, and other staff.
The airline can just do differential courses for its employees and they are ready to operate and maintain this widebody beast.
Align with Existing Strategy
Currently, Air India operates a fleet of 27 777s which includes some of the leased aircraft and it deploys them on North American routes. These are some of the busiest and exclusive routes for Air India.
There is too much demand in the North America-India market and Air India doesn’t have enough supply due to limited aircraft. So with 777X, they can easily serve the busiest of these routes.
We also seen this recently, as fares skyrocketed after Air India canceled 60 inbound and outbound flights between India and the United States.
For your information, Boeing 777X has two variants 777-8 and 777-9. The 777-8 can seat up to 396 passengers while the 777-9 426 in a two-class configuration and more in all economy arrangements.
So it can carry 400+ passengers to and from the US and Canada’s busiest cities and generate significant revenue. It can also serve new destinations and deploy its existing little lower-capacity 777s and A350s on them.
Now comes the most important question…
When AI will get the First 777X?
Boeing is facing multiple challenges and regulatory hurdles in certifying its most awaited widebody airliner, the 777X aircraft.
American aerospace giant began certification flights in July 2024 but so far has faced difficulties such as temporary grounding due to damage in engine mount links. However, the aircraft has returned to the skies for tests. Currently, there are four production 777X (777-9) aircraft to carry out tests.
Boeing has set a timeline that it will certify 777X by 2025 and will begin delivery in the same year. However, Emirates (EK) Chairman Tim Clark, who has placed the largest order for over 200 777X has said that it will be delayed further and they anticipate delivery in 2026.
Boeing 777X has received more than 500 orders from some 13 renowned global carriers and some yet-to-be-revealed customers (mostly lessors).
These include Qatar Airways (launch customer), Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Etihad, Cathay Pacific Airways, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Korean Air, British Airways, Air India, Cargolux (Cargo variant), Ethiopian Airlines, Silk Way West Airlines (Cargo variant).
As always, the majority of them are Asian airlines and operate on the Hub and Spoke model.
Who will get 777X First and When?
So Qatar Airways will likely receive the first 777-9 followed by Emirates and other carriers respectively from 2026.
By checking the production history, Boeing produces almost one 777X each month yes it is slow at this stage but will boost production after certification.
As of October 2024, Boeing 777X that are produced or are in production are for customers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, ANA, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.
Air India fuselage is not even in production yet. Further, these carriers have placed orders well in advance than Air India.
So by calculating the production rate and delivery schedule if all went well, which is not ideal while considering Boeing, it will take around 7-8 years after certification for Air India to get its first 777 aircraft. Further, Air India will probably receive 10 of them by 2040.
By 2032-33 (Most Likely), Air India will receive the first 777-9 aircraft. It might get earlier but that will be very difficult to predict today.
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Feature Image by Caden Henderson (@cado.photo)
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