Air India looks to buy 540 planes between Boeing and Airbus

Air India is looking to buy up to 290 planes from Boeing and 250 from Airbus to address South Asia's rapidly growing market for domestic and international air travel.

The airline announced Tuesday it has selected Boeing to expand its fleet with plans to buy 190 737 MAX, 20 787 Dreamliner, and 10 777X planes.

In addition, the carrier announced its commitment to order 250 Airbus aircraft. The order includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets. Deliveries are set to commence with the first A350-900 arriving by late-2023.

The agreement between Boeing and Air India includes options for 50 additional 737 MAXs and 20 787-9s. When finalized, this will be the largest Boeing order in South Asia and a historic milestone in the aerospace company's nearly 90-year partnership with the carrier.

The additional planes will support Air India's growth strategy they are pursuing, according to Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD, Air India.

"These new airplanes will enable us to dramatically expand our network, both domestically and internationally, and will come with a completely new, world-class onboard product enabling passengers to travel in the highest levels of comfort and safety,” Wilson said in a Boeing press release. “With this order, we are delighted to take our long relationship with Boeing to a new level."

Air India has also contracted with Boeing Global Services for lifecycle support services, including digital solutions, spare parts, and landing gear exchange programs, pilot and maintenance technician training, aircraft modifications, and other services.

In detail, the airline will purchase 190 737 MAXs, including 737-8s and 737-10s, with options for 50 more jets. They also plan to expand international routes with 20 787-9 Dreamliners and options for 20 more jets, while becoming the newest 777X customer with a selection of 10 777-9s.

The 737 MAX will provide flexibility across Air India's network while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces.

• The 737-8, seating 162 to 210 passengers, depending on configuration, and with a range of 3,500 nautical miles, is the market's most versatile single-aisle airplane, capable of operating profitably on short- and medium-haul routes.

• The 737-10, the largest airplane in the 737 MAX family, offers the best per-seat economics of any single-aisle commercial jet, seating 188 to 230 passengers, depending on configuration with a range of 3,100 nautical miles.

Air India has benefited from the efficiency and flexibility of the 787 Dreamliner family with an existing fleet of 27 787-8s. The larger 787-9 will provide increased capacity, greater range, and 25% better fuel efficiency compared to earlier-generation jets.

The flagship 777-9 – the world's largest and most efficient twin-engine jet -- will be the largest airplane in Air India's fleet, enabling it to fly passengers non-stop and in enhanced comfort to almost any long-haul destination.