After massive customer backlash over the past couple of years, the Tata Group has finally set in motion the process to refurbish and modernise—‘retrofitting’ in aviation parlance. It will include new carpets, new seats, curtains, and upholstery, as well as repainting the exterior with the new livery.
The process started with the first of the 27 Airbus A320 aircraft which is the airline’s workhorse, on Monday, which will be followed by the wide-bodied Boeings. The total cost for the process, which will run into years, is around Rs 30,000 crore.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson had told THE WEEK earlier this year that the process would begin once enough new aircraft ordered, mostly the wide-bodied A350, come in. The first one entered service in January, followed by a few more newer planes every week.
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Air India has on order a total of 470 planes, 250 of which are Airbus and the remaining from Boeing.
The refit will see all planes reconfigure to a three-class configuration — Business, Premium Economy, and Economy on all domestic flights as well as many international flights.
Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD of Air India, said, “This is an important step in our journey of enhancing the flying experience of our customers. Over time, all the legacy wide-body aircraft will also be refitted. This comprehensive upgradation of Air India’s physical product is an important component of Air India transforming into a world-class airline.”
The first plane which went in for retrofitting on Monday will return to service by December. Following this, an average of three to four aircraft will go in for retrofitting each month, with the whole ‘reinvention’ process expected to be complete within a year's time.
The refit project will be coordinated by Air India’s Engineering team with leading global OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) such as Collins, Astronics and Thales among others. It will see the installation of over 15,000 next-generation seats across Premium Economy, Business and Economy Class, with new features like portable electronic device holders, USB ports, charging options for mobiles and laptops etc.
In parallel to the narrowbody retrofit programme, final preparations continue for the full interior upgrade of 40 legacy (meaning ‘really old’) Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, according to an official statement from the Gurugram-based airline.
