Air India may extend record deal to 840 planes

The Air India deal with Airbus and Boeing that took everyone by storm could get bigger. The airline earlier this week announced that it has placed a record order of 470 planes. 

Today, a company official said Air India has an option of buying another 370 jets.

The airline that was taken over by the Tata group from the government has also signed up for long-term maintenance of the engines with CFM International (CFM), Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace.

Aggarwal added that the big-ticket deal has culminated over two years which started with the privatisation process of Air India.

The previous biggest order was a 460-plane deal by American Airlines in 2011.

It is indeed a landmark moment in the history of Air India and Indian aviation.

This order of 840 aircrafts has been a culmination of a fascinating journey that began almost two years ago starting with the Air India privatisation process.

The order comprises of 470 firm aircraft, 370 options and purchase rights to be procured from Airbus and Boeing over the next decade.

The Airbus firm order comprises 210 A-320/321 Neo / XLR and 40 A350-900/1000. The Boeing firm order comprises 190 737-Max, 20 787s and 10 777s.