{"id":75595,"date":"2024-11-27T13:05:35","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T07:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=75595"},"modified":"2024-11-27T13:07:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-27T07:37:15","slug":"who-pilots-air-india-one-vvip-planes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/27\/who-pilots-air-india-one-vvip-planes\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Pilots $1 Billion Air India One Fleet and Other VVIPs Planes?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Flying for the Prime Minister? That may be something prestigious and honorable for any Pilot. With back-to-back meetings and rallies in various places around the world, the Prime Minister understands how to make the most of his time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this can only be accomplished with a private jet that is constantly ready for him. Because the VVIP aircraft transports one of the world’s most important dignitaries, the plane must be designed to the highest safety standards, and the Pilot must be highly reliable.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Who
Photo: Narendra Modi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who Pilots Air India One VVIP Planes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since winning the Lok Sabha elections in May 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made more than 100 travels, including five to the United States. Between 2014 and 2019, PM Modi spent a record Rs. 518 crore on overseas travel, making him not only a most enviable globetrotter but also sparking global interest in his Air India <\/a>One aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Prime Minister flew aboard the Air India One Boeing 777 for the first time to Washington, DC, when President Biden held the in-person Quad Leaders’ conference on September 24, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PM Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to fly on the ultra-advanced and safe Boeing 777 VVIP aircraft, which was acquired to replace Air India’s aging Boeing 747, which had previously been used by the Prime Minister and President of India on official trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 1, 2020, India received the VVIP Boeing 777-300ER<\/a> duo. The jet takes Prime Minister Narendra Modi on important trips abroad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Read: Canada Refuses Air India One to Fly PM Justin Trudeau<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Narendra Modi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India One<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Air India One (also known as AI1, AIC1, or INDIA 1) is the Air Traffic Control call sign for any Special Extra Section Flight (SESF) conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the President, Vice President, or Prime Minister of India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The missions are coordinated and carried out by the Ministry of Defence and the AHQCS, which is situated at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Flying Fortress is believed to be worth Rs 8400 crore!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

History<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, two Boeing 777-300ERs were chosen as SESF (VVIP transportation). The new aircraft, with specifically designed liveries, entered service in October 2020, replacing Air India’s Boeing 747-400s that flew the missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the 747s, which were commercial aircraft, the newly acquired aircraft are military vessels officially owned and operated by the Indian Air Force. They do not have Air India markings and have no commercial dual-use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, under a specific arrangement, they will be maintained by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which has previously maintained Boeing 777 series aircraft for Air India’s commercial fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being slightly less in size than the mighty Boeing 747, the Boeing 777 bought by India functions as an “Office in the Sky”<\/strong> for the VVIP on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Who
Photo: By Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=113377627<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aircraft Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Type: Boeing 777-300ER<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleet: Two customized Boeing 777-300ER aircraft acquired in 2020, replacing the older Boeing 747-400s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Security and Defense Systems:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n