Air India

[Ray Finkle]

32 mins early today :good:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Air India's newest 787 VT-ANT is scheduled for delivery today.

The next one, VT-ANU, is scheduled for March 12th and should be in the Star Alliance livery. Apparently it will be the first 787 to wear the Star Alliance colours?

All subject to change of course but it'll be one for the photographers.

 

[Hassaan]

I passed by the airport today and noticed an Air India parked up on the 80s stands. Any idea why?

 

[Ray Finkle]

It's VT-ANK that went tech a little over two weeks ago. Apparently the parts needed are not readily available.

 

[BHXsupporter]

Re: Air India B787 Parts

If parts aren't available for a newly introduced aircraft type such as this, there seem to be few possible reasons:

1) the parts aren't available from the manufacturer
2) the parts are available but not routinely produced for some reason e.g. they are in an extraordinary inventory not expected to be problematic / needed until major overhauls
3) the buyer hasn't contracted to have the parts available as necessary to its network
3) the buyer has the parts somewhere but hasn't secured arrangements to undertake the work at the aircraft's location.

There may well be more but I wonder what the answers to the above are. Surely it's not good publicity for the B 787 and it might be expected that the manufacturer would be doing all they can to restore service to a customer, irrespective of agreed contracts - or perhaps this is too naive. :s_dunno

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've not seen it confirmed about the parts needed it was just what I had heard from somebody at MAEL. It makes sense though as VT-ANI was cannibalized, apparently to keep the rest of the fleet flying as parts were not readily available. It can't be good for any airline to have a Dreamliner grounded for what is nearly three weeks.

Changing direction slightly below is a photo of VT-ANT (which was delivered yesterday) at Charleston, the aircraft after the American (second from last) is apparently VT-ANU, with the black rudder it seems she will be wearing the Star Alliance livery

Credit to the photographer.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Tonight's AIC113 is running late, it's due at 22:20 meaning it won't be able to leave before the night runway closure. As luck would have it VT-ANK was due to depart today and has operated the return flight back to Delhi as AIC114.

So we should have VT-ANS stopping the night.

 

[Ray Finkle]

This is apparently Air India's next Dreamliner, in Star Alliance colours :smile:

Credit to the photographer.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Air India's newest Dreamliner VT-ANT operated AIC113 ATQ-DEL earlier so unless there is an issue it should be used to BHX today, I believe a first visit?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Looking forward to seeing this at BHX :s_yes

Credit to the photographer.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

I've read on another forum that AI are planning to extend their service over to Canada and the States this year.

Has anyone heard anything to substantiate this.

Thanks

 

[thunderchild]

Toronto and San Francisco apparantly.

Toronto wouldn't be that much of a surprise; there was talk of them extending BHX to YYZ when they first returned.

As for SFO? Not sure. AI have stated it's one route they want to open and I'm sure PK would be keen for them to route it through BHX with the runway extension. Interesting that someone on another forum seemed adamant SFO would be the next US city from BHX.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Would they really do Toronto given that Air Canada are starting a Daily YYZ-DEL service in November that will have an AI code share? I guess it could be a Mumbai originating flight which would be good.

SFO is interesting and would definitely be great to see. Have AI got their full US category back from the authorities yet? I've seen someone suggest they were close but not sure if it's happened?

 

[thunderchild]

Forgot about AC to be honest. Who knows then - but this AI we are talking about!

 

[Ray Finkle]

BOM-BHX-YYZ-BHX-BOM could possibly be an option, maybe with an AC codeshare.

I read an article about Air India's fuel tenders and it suggested that SFO would be a one stop destination from DEL, Milan was mentioned but I don't think it was anything more than speculation. DEL-SFO is a big market so if it does route through BHX it would be nice to see one of the new 787-900's.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The FAA are expected to give India Class 1 status again by the end of the month meaning they're allowed to open more US destinations.

DEL-BHX-SFO sure would be great to see

US FAA to upgrade India's aviation sector by month-end

 

[Brummiegem]

One for Ray to look out for,Air India have today taken delivery of the Star Alliance liveried 787.VT-ANU is also their 20th 788.
Apparently it is the first B787 to wear this Alliances' livery.I know 'cause it says so on the fuselage

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yes I'll be keeping an eye out for that one. I've not had chance to go and take some pictures for a while so when she comes I'll be there, weather permitting.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The FAA have now given India Class 1 status back meaning Indian airlines are now clear for any expansion to the US they may well have planned.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Not BHX related but I think the staff and crew of the Air India flights that evacuated those stranded in Yemen deserve a massive hats off. Those thirty minutes on the ground must have been very intense and many non Indian nationals were also rescued.

A video from a BBC journalist who was on one of the missions.

The rush to flee Yemen's capital

And an interesting chat with two of the captains involved.

https://play.ndtv.com/video/index/id/363247