Air India’s Refurbished Boeing 787-8 Arrives at Delhi Airport
Refurbishment Timeline and Investment
Mumbai: Air India has successfully received its first refurbished Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which landed at Delhi Airport on Monday. This milestone comes more than three years after the airline, owned by the Tata Group, announced a substantial investment plan amounting to USD 400 million aimed at a comprehensive refurbishment of its legacy twin-aisle fleet.
The aircraft, registered as VT-ANT, completed a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino in the United States. It touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi at approximately 10 PM, according to an airline announcement. San Bernardino International Airport serves as a crucial hub for the maintenance, painting, and storage of Boeing aircraft.
Cabin and Design Enhancements
Air India officially welcomed its first retrofitted twin-aisle Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANT) on Monday, marking the conclusion of the nose-to-tail cabin refresh for this aircraft, which is the first in a line of 26 Boeing 787 aircraft slated for refurbishment. This effort is part of Air India’s ongoing initiative to enhance their operational fleet.
The wide-body fleet of Air India, which has been historically unprofitable, consists of Boeing 787-8s and B-777s, which are utilized on multiple long-haul routes spanning the UK, Europe, the USA, and the Far East. The refurbishing process includes extensive interior upgrades carried out at Boeing’s modification center in Victorville, California. Additionally, the aircraft was painted in Air India’s new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified painting facility in California, before its delivery to Delhi.
Post-Refurbishment Process and Future Plans
After obtaining the necessary regulatory certifications and clearances, the aircraft undertook a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino to Delhi. This step demonstrates Air India’s commitment to upgrading its fleet after becoming a privately held entity in January 2022, when Tata Group regained ownership of the airline from the Union Government.
In December 2022, Air India announced plans to refurbish its entire legacy wide-body fleet, which includes 27 Boeing B787-8 (Dreamliner) aircraft and 13 B777 aircraft, with an estimated investment exceeding USD 400 million. The refurbishment project encompasses a complete overhaul of cabin interiors, featuring the installation of next-generation seating and enhanced in-flight entertainment options across all classes.
Furthermore, the refurbishment introduces a premium economy cabin to both aircraft fleets. The inaugural refurbished aircraft was initially anticipated to enter service earlier; however, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical concerns caused delays. The project did not commence until July of last year when the first of the 26 Boeing 787-8s arrived at the modification facility in Victorville for its refurbishment process.
Operational Challenges
In June of the previous year, Air India faced a significant setback when one of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft was lost in a crash in Ahmedabad, reducing the fleet to 26 planes. Despite this challenge, the airline continues to move forward with plans to enhance its fleet and service offerings.
