Mumbai: owned by Tata Group indian water UK-based remarketing firm Skytec-AIC has been authorized to sell four of its Boeing 747-400 jumbo aircraft.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had earlier this year canceled the registration of these aircraft.
In a statement on 21 November, Skytec-AIC said it has been appointed by Air India to market four Boeing 747-400s for outright sale.
The aircraft, which are Pratt & Whitney 4056-powered and were built between 1993 and 1996, are offered for immediate delivery.
“We are honored to have been selected by Air India, the flag carrier of India, for this important assignment and look forward to serving them as a remarketing client with leading airlines such as Singapore Airlines Group, Kuwait Airways, Air Greenland and TUI Group in Europe. Pleased to welcome you.” Julian Balam, managing director of Skytec-AIC, said in a statement posted on the company’s website.
In a statement on Tuesday, an Air India spokesperson said the 747s were the much-loved flagship of its fleet and “we are sad to let them go”.
The airline is actively evaluating and reviewing the existing fleet to make it future ready.
“We look forward to bringing in the latest generation, more fuel efficient and more environment friendly aircraft to power Air India’s future aspirations and growth plans. We are sure many passengers will turn up to bid a soulful farewell to the Queen of the skies.” Will join Air Indian,” the spokesperson said.
Apart from ferrying India’s VVIPs—the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister—four jumbo aircraft were deployed on high-density domestic and international routes.
In 2020, Air India, then owned by the government, received two customized Boeing 777 aircraft fitted with advanced defense systems to ferry VVIPs. Subsequently, two jumbo jets were grounded and earlier two such aircraft were grounded.
Air India, one of the earliest operators of these aircraft, started inducting the jumbo aircraft into its fleet from 1971.
For decades, the airline has been phasing out such planes and replacing them with Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s, which are considered more fuel efficient.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had earlier this year canceled the registration of these aircraft.
In a statement on 21 November, Skytec-AIC said it has been appointed by Air India to market four Boeing 747-400s for outright sale.
The aircraft, which are Pratt & Whitney 4056-powered and were built between 1993 and 1996, are offered for immediate delivery.
“We are honored to have been selected by Air India, the flag carrier of India, for this important assignment and look forward to serving them as a remarketing client with leading airlines such as Singapore Airlines Group, Kuwait Airways, Air Greenland and TUI Group in Europe. Pleased to welcome you.” Julian Balam, managing director of Skytec-AIC, said in a statement posted on the company’s website.
In a statement on Tuesday, an Air India spokesperson said the 747s were the much-loved flagship of its fleet and “we are sad to let them go”.
The airline is actively evaluating and reviewing the existing fleet to make it future ready.
“We look forward to bringing in the latest generation, more fuel efficient and more environment friendly aircraft to power Air India’s future aspirations and growth plans. We are sure many passengers will turn up to bid a soulful farewell to the Queen of the skies.” Will join Air Indian,” the spokesperson said.
Apart from ferrying India’s VVIPs—the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister—four jumbo aircraft were deployed on high-density domestic and international routes.
In 2020, Air India, then owned by the government, received two customized Boeing 777 aircraft fitted with advanced defense systems to ferry VVIPs. Subsequently, two jumbo jets were grounded and earlier two such aircraft were grounded.
Air India, one of the earliest operators of these aircraft, started inducting the jumbo aircraft into its fleet from 1971.
For decades, the airline has been phasing out such planes and replacing them with Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s, which are considered more fuel efficient.