Air India orders 30 single-aisle aircraft from Boeing
Hyderabad (PTI): Air India on Thursday announced an order to purchase 30 additional Boeing aircraft, comprising 20 737-8 and 10 737-10 jets.
These 30 single-aisle aircraft are in addition to the firm orders for 220 aircraft that Air India had placed with Boeing in 2023, taking the total number of aircraft orders with Boeing to 250, the carrier said in a press release.
The announcement was made at Wings India 2026 in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu.
With the latest order, Air India will have a total of 198 new aircraft incoming from Boeing.
So far, the airline has received 52 aircraft from the original 220 ordered in 2023, including 51 737-8 jets currently in service with its subsidiary, Air India Express, and one brand-new 787-9, which will enter commercial service on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route from February 1, 2026, it said.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, said the additional order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft is part of the airline’s broader fleet strategy to position itself as a world-class global carrier.
"Building on our 2023 orders and subsequent additions, this order supports steady deliveries and fleet upgrades planned over the next few years," he said.
Paul Righi, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia, said, "Air India’s order for more 737 MAX jets underscores the strong performance of their existing 737-8 fleet as they continue to expand connectivity across India and the South Asia region."
"We value Air India’s confidence in the 737-10 and 737-8 to provide the capacity and versatility they need as a cornerstone of their single-aisle growth strategy," he added.
Powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines, the Boeing 737 offers exceptional fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and operational reliability for robust single-aisle operations.
Since its privatisation in January 2022, the Air India group has added nearly 170 aircraft to its fleet through a combination of new deliveries, strategic leases, the merger with erstwhile Vistara, and the reactivation of long-grounded aircraft, marking significant progress in capacity expansion and fleet modernisation, the release added.
Begumpet Airport is hosting Wings India 2026, Asia’s largest biennial civil aviation event, running until January 31.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
