Air India to Return Boeing 777-200LR Fleet
Air India, owned by Tata Group, has announced the return of five leased Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Delta Air Lines, with the completion of this process scheduled by March 2026. This move aligns with Air India’s fleet transition strategy.
Return Details and Fleet Transition
Two of these wide-body jets have already been pulled from service for maintenance. The remaining aircraft will be gradually phased out. The return signifies the end of the lease agreement with Delta, after which the airline has restructured certain North American routes.
Fleet Adjustments
The airline confirmed that some routes previously operated by the Boeing 777-200LRs have shifted to the larger Boeing 777-300ER. This change aims to ensure continuity and minimize passenger disruption.
The aircraft were initially leased from Delta and had experienced some technical issues. Although Air India considered extending the lease or purchasing the aircraft, Delta decided to sell to another buyer, ending their use by Air India.
Current Wide-Body Fleet Overview
Currently, Air India’s fleet includes 187 aircraft, split into 127 narrow-body and 60 wide-body planes. The wide-body fleet is composed of:
- 22 Boeing 777s (19 B777-300ERs and 3 B777-200LRs)
- 32 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (26 B787-8s and 6 B787-9s)
- 6 Airbus A350s
The narrow-body fleet features Airbus A319s, A320ceos, A320neos, A321ceos, and A321neos, targeting domestic and short-haul international routes.
Impact on Long-Haul Operations
The gradual return of the 777-200LRs poses constraints on Air India’s capacity for long-haul expansion, particularly to North America. For instance, the Delhi to San Francisco service has shifted from the 777-200LR to the 777-300ER to uphold schedule integrity amid fleet changes.
Global supply chain issues have complicated long-range fleet planning. Delays in aircraft deliveries prompt airlines, including Air India, to use short-term leases to meet international travel demands.
Future Fleet Expansion Prospects
Campbell Wilson, CEO of Air India, noted earlier this year that despite ongoing supply chain challenges, gradual improvements are underway. However, he anticipates that full industry recovery may not occur until 2029 or 2030.
In the meantime, Air India will manage its fleet with a combination of lease returns, new acquisitions, and strategic deployment of wide-body planes to sustain and progressively expand its long-haul network.
