Air India is set to be the latest carrier to consolidate its fleet by retiring its older and larger aircraft. The targets of the planned reshuffle are none other than its remaining Boeing 747s. This will bring an end to half a century of jumbo jet operations at the Indian flag carrier.
The end of an era
According to The Times Of India, the country’s flag carrier has decided to withdraw its remaining Boeing 747 aircraft. This is a move that has become all too common among airlines worldwide in the last year. This is because the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced 747 operators to reconsider the iconic aircraft’s place in the modern airline industry.
For example, last year saw high-profile 747 retirements at established operators such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Now, Delhi-based Air India is set to join this list.
In truth, the 747 is not the flagship that it once was at the airline. Indeed, Air India recently relegated it to domestic duties on higher-demand internal routes. However, in its absence from regular long-haul passenger traffic, the 747 has also flown VIP and governmental missions.
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Despite the 747’s recent absence on mainline international routes, it will still be sad to see it go. However, the airline hopes that it will also provide a revenue boost, with a spokesperson stating,
“We are planning to phase out the jumbo jets. The final decision will be taken by Air India’s board, possibly in its next meeting. The planes are over 25 years old on average, and will be scrapped. Their residual value lies in [their] engines (…), that could fetch about $2 million apiece.”
50 years of operational history
According to Planespotters.net, Air India has operated a total of 27 Boeing 747s over the years. It received its first example half a century ago, in 1971. This aircraft, named Emperor Ashoka, was a 747-200, the first of three variants Air India operated. The full breakdown is as follows.
- 747-200 – 14 aircraft, 1971-2000.
- 747-200 – 3 aircraft, 1988-2008.
- 747-400 – 10 aircraft, 1993-2021.
Air India’s four remaining 747-400s have an average age of 25.7 years. As it stands, the airline will be the only Indian carrier to have flown quadjets. The Times Of India adds that “Vijay Mallya had ordered the four-engine Airbus A340s for Kingfisher, but could never induct them in the fleet before the airline shut down in 2012.”
A twin-engine long-haul focus going forward
So where does this leave Air India’s long-haul, widebody fleet? In line with current industry-wide trends, the carrier is placing a greater emphasis on more efficient twinjets for its intercontinental operations. While its short-haul fleet is an all-Airbus affair, its widebodies are exclusively Boeing.
Air India’s long-haul fleet currently consists of 16 Boeing 777s (3x -200LR, 13x -300ER) and 27 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft. These families have a much healthier average age of 11.4 years and 6.7 years old respectively.
The 747’s extra capacity has largely become redundant in the current climate. Considering this, as well as the greater efficiency of the more modern 787, it seems a sensible decision from Air India to join the increasing movement towards a twin-engine future.
What do you make of Air India’s decision to phase out its Boeing 747 fleet? Have you ever flown on one of the Indian flag carrier’s jumbos? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!