Air India Takes Delivery of Its First A321neo

DALLAS — Air India (AI) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo. VT-RTD has landed at Delhi International Airport (DEL). The A321neo fitted with CFM LEAP 1A engines is named after Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of the Tata group.

It has been 13 years since AI has taken delivery of an A321 aircraft. Earlier in 2010, it received its last A321ceo, with registration VT-PPX.

According to FlightRadar24, VT-RTD operated as AIC1111 took off from Hamburg Airport (XFW), and landed successfully at DEL.

https://twitter.com/airindiain/status/1639629282900324355?s=20

First A321neo of Four

According to some local reports, Airbus is set to deliver a total of four A321neos to AI. The four planes previously destined for Russian carriers are now painted in AI livery. The first AI A321neo completed test flights last month.

Its been four years since the Indian carrier has taken delivery of a narrowbody airliner and it is the first one after Tata's acquisition of AI.

Today's delivery is one of the 36 previously leased aircraft that includes five ex-Delta Air Lines (DL) Boeing 777-200LRs, six Boeing 777ERs, 21 A320s, and four A321neos.

The arrival of the A321neo comes on the heels of the AI announcement of its commitment to order 470 aircraft, which includes both narrow and wide-body planes from Airbus and Boeing.

What are your thoughts about AI's rapid expansion? Let us know in the comments on our social media channels.

Featured Image: Air India

https://airwaysmag.com/air-india-commits-250-strong-airbus/