hserus
Jul 27, 07, 9:40 pm
Saw a new full page AI ad in today's newspaper - they are apparently launching a new "next generation" fleet.
Summary -
732 (originally operated by CD) / AB3 birds become freighters, operated by "Air India Cargo". Read somewhere about 8 AB3 birds becoming freighters (out of 19 - I think AI has 11 on lease, so all AI owned AB3 seem bound for freighter conversion).
IX 738s and AI 321s for short and medium haul
772LR for long haul
A few questions do come up here.
What about their 744 fleet? They have some classic 744s that boeing was earlier offering to buy back in exchange for newer short haul aircraft, what came of that?
772LR being used for long haul mean that they aren't going to stick them on their cash cow gulf routes and other short hauls like SIN, KUL etc. And while they do have mostly AB3 and a 767, along with IX's LCC 738s on those routes, 321 isnt really a replacement for AB3, more like a 330-200 right?
ps: I know it has been said before, but the new livery is rather nice, simple and clean. And a neat, racing stripe type piping line under the windows, rather than that line covering both the windows. No red nose cone either (like in the original 777 livery here http://www.airliners.net/open.file/734622/M/ - thank god)
Summary -
732 (originally operated by CD) / AB3 birds become freighters, operated by "Air India Cargo". Read somewhere about 8 AB3 birds becoming freighters (out of 19 - I think AI has 11 on lease, so all AI owned AB3 seem bound for freighter conversion).
IX 738s and AI 321s for short and medium haul
772LR for long haul
A few questions do come up here.
What about their 744 fleet? They have some classic 744s that boeing was earlier offering to buy back in exchange for newer short haul aircraft, what came of that?
772LR being used for long haul mean that they aren't going to stick them on their cash cow gulf routes and other short hauls like SIN, KUL etc. And while they do have mostly AB3 and a 767, along with IX's LCC 738s on those routes, 321 isnt really a replacement for AB3, more like a 330-200 right?
ps: I know it has been said before, but the new livery is rather nice, simple and clean. And a neat, racing stripe type piping line under the windows, rather than that line covering both the windows. No red nose cone either (like in the original 777 livery here http://www.airliners.net/open.file/734622/M/ - thank god)