The airline will train its employees in collaboration with jet makers Airbus and Boeing.
According to The Hindu Businessline (HBL), Air India (AI) will invest $200 million in pilot training facilities as the airline grows its fleet and network. AI made a significant order for 470 planes in February, paying around $70 billion (based on public list prices) in a contract with Airbus and Boeing. Aside from that, the airline is leasing planes to expand its network with additional destinations.
In order to sustain its growth, the airline is also investing in training facilities for cabin crew, engineers, and ground workers. According to the HBL study, AI will collaborate with plane makers Airbus and Boeing to achieve this goal.
Campbell Wilson, Managing Director and CEO of Air India, told HBL, “On the simulator side, the investment is $200 million to build capabilities not just for Air India but for others.”
The former public carrier, which is now part of the Tata Group, is leasing 11 wide-body planes, six of which are currently in service and five more will be added by March 2024. Not only that, but the airline has leased 25 A320 NEO jets for its fleet; four of these 25 have already been inducted, with the other 21 to follow in March 2024, according to the article.
“The wide-body aircraft will be used to expand our international network and add frequencies on the international segment.” “The A350 will fly domestically in the first quarter of next year before expanding to international routes,” Wilson told HBL.
According to Wison, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Vistara’s merger with AI, and the airline is awaiting approval from international competition regulators. The approval of the National Company Law Tribunal is in the works. According to the article, Air India intends to phase away the Vistara name once Air India products begin offering services that are comparable to or better than Vistara’s.
On August 10, Air India announced its new brand identity as part of its transformation strategy since being acquired by the Tata Group. The new logo takes influence from Air India’s trademark Indian window design and converts it into a gold window frame. According to a press statement, the new emblem ‘The Vista’ represents infinite possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline’s optimistic perspective for the future.
