Air India is set to finalize an order for 150 Boeing 737 Max jets

Air India was close to signing an agreement with Boeing Co to purchase 150 of the brand-new 737 Max jets. According to a media report, the Tata Group-owned Indian carrier will likely place a firm order for 50 737 Max planes with an option to purchase up to 150 aircraft. Sources in the industry reported in July that Air India was moving closer to a decision on a mega order worth $50 billion at list prices. This mega order would be split between Airbus and Boeing. This order would include up to 300 narrowbody aircraft and 70 widebody aircraft.

This would be a win for Boeing, which is planning to expand its capacity in India to meet the world’s fastest-growing major aviation market’s demand. Akasa, a low-cost airline in India, purchased 72 737 MAX jets for nearly $9 billion in 2021, Boeing’s last mega order in India. Indian skies are dominated by low-cost carriers such as IndiGo, SpiceJet and AirAsia India, most of which operate Airbus narrowbody planes. 155 MAX planes have been ordered by SpiceJet, Boeing’s biggest customer in India.