NEW DELHI, INDIA — Air India is near a deal for buying up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX planes, marking the first significant aircraft purchase following the sale of the country's national carrier to the Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2021, Economic Times reported.
If materialized, It will be the largest aircraft order ever for the American planemaker received from India since the Indian budget carrier Akasa Air placed an order for 75 planes last year.
India's single-aisle fleet is mainly comprised of Airbus A320 jets. According to the sources who spoke to the Indian newspaper, Air India is set to place an order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets first, with an option to eventually procure up to 150 planes of the same type depending on future requirements.
The airline's plans for acquiring new fuel-efficient jets are likely to boost its market share, both in terms of its domestic services and its operations that currently span multiple countries from all continents.
Tata Group's recent decision to merge Air India with Vistara could result in the creation of what many believe would become one of the world's most powerful airlines.
