According to a report in IANS, Air India has earmarked ₹500 crore to recover few of its grounded passenger aircraft — Currently, 19 of the national carrier’s aircraft are non-operational. This is primarily due to the high cost of maintenance and expensive spare parts. As per the report, over 10 Airbus A320s and the rest Boeing 787-800s Dreamliner and a few Boeing 777s have been grounded.
Although there is no official confirmation on the fund infusion yet; it is said that the move will cater to the increasing travel demand in addition to the aviation capacity shortage in the country. Air India will also use this opportunity to raise its market share.
However, despite fresh funds, all grounded airplanes are unlikely to be functional before August this year.
Air India’s fleet augmentation strategy comes at a time when the government of India has requested airlines to boost their aircraft induction plans.
Meanwhile, the airline is also planning to hire more cabin crew and pilots, with major preference to employees from the temporarily shut Jet Airways. (Also read: SpiceJet and Air India hire Jet Airways employees).
