GURUGRAM- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) initiates a temporary refresh of its Boeing 777 fleet amid global supply chain disruptions affecting full retrofit plans.
The airline’s thirteen Boeing 777 aircraft, serving US and Canada routes, will undergo essential upgrades through a partnership with SIA Engineering Company, HT reported.
Air India Retrofit 777
The first 777 aircraft departed last week for Singapore, marking the beginning of this interim enhancement program. SIA Engineering Company, a Singapore Airlines (SQ) Group subsidiary, will oversee the implementation of these updates across the entire 777 fleet.
The refresh program focuses on passenger comfort elements, introducing new seat covers, cushions, curtains, and carpets that align with Air India’s updated brand identity. This temporary solution addresses immediate needs while the airline awaits conditions suitable for a complete retrofit.
Air India targets completion of this refresh initiative by December 2025, ensuring all thirteen aircraft serving ultra-long-haul routes to the United States and Canada receive these updates.
The airline developed this interim strategy to maintain service quality standards despite global supply chain challenges delaying more comprehensive aircraft modifications.
Cabin Overhaul
Air India launches extensive cabin refresh operations targeting essential repairs across multiple interior components. The comprehensive update encompasses lavatory maintenance, cabin wall restoration, and improvements to meal tables, armrests, and galley areas.
The airline official clarified with HT that in-flight entertainment systems and aircraft livery remain unchanged during this process.
The carrier maintains a strategic focus on premium service enhancement and flight schedule optimization to strengthen its position in the United States market.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO, addressed supply chain challenges in a November 2023 internal communication, highlighting specific concerns about seat manufacturing delays affecting wide-body aircraft retrofitting plans.
Wilson elaborated in a Reuters interview that seat manufacturers face significant workforce and capacity constraints. He projected a two-year timeline for upgrading the wide-body fleet to meet international standards once retrofitting begins.
Air India’s transformation strategy encompasses the renovation of 67 legacy aircraft, including both narrow-body and wide-body planes. While narrow-body aircraft modifications progress toward a July 2025 completion target, wide-body renovations face postponement until the end of 2025.
Million Dollar Transformation
In September 2024, Air India announced that it had started one of the largest retrofit programs in the Indian aviation industry.
The airline will need to spend $400 Million on retrofitting 67 planes which includes both narrow-body and wide-body jets.
The airline has 27 narrow-body aircraft which includes Airbus A320neo aircraft. Further, it has 40 Boeing aircraft that will undergo a complete transformation in its million-dollar retrofit plan.
Under the ownership of Tata and the leadership of Campbell Wilson, the airline aims to rejuvenate the airline into a World-Class carrier.
As of February 2025, Air India has a fleet of 202 aircraft which includes Vistara’s 70 aircraft. While its sister carrier, Air India Express has 97 aircraft. In total, the Air India Group has 299 aircraft.
Featured Image By Utkarsh Thakkar | Vimanspotter
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