Question : Replacement of Old Aircraft by Air India

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the warning by Air India Pilots w.r.t. operating 25 years old Airbus 320s;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereon;

(c) the number of 25 years old Airbus 320s still in operation in the country;

(d) whether the Air India proposes to induct another 30 Airbus A320 aircraft to match robostic growth in domestic aviation sector taking its total fleet size to around 150 planes in the next three financial years, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to replace the ageing fleet of the Air India including the details of proposals to buy new aircraft?

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the house.;

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b), (c), (d) AND (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.40 ANSWERED ON 25.02.2016 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF OLD AIRCRAFT BY AIR INDIA
TABLED BY; SHRI ANTO ANTONY AND SHRIMATI VANAROJA R., MPs.;

(a) and (b): The pilots had highlighted the issue regarding intermittent
unreliable weather Radars on old A320 aircraft of Air India (AI). This
issue has been taken up by the management and new Radar Systems have
been purchased for 9 old A320 aircraft.;;;

(c): Seven (07) A320 aircraft of age over 25 years are still in operation in
the country.;

(d) and (e): For catering to growth in domestic aviation sector and replace the ageing fleet, with due approval of its Board, AI had floated a tender for leasing of 14 A320 neo aircraft. The financial bids have been obtained and bidder has been selected. Subsequently, another tender for additional 15 A320 aircraft has also been floated by AI. This will enhance the
number of aircraft in AI fleet to around 145.