*Article updated 12:58 UTC with clarification from Air India*

Reports earlier suggested that Air India was set to be the latest carrier to consolidate its fleet by retiring its older and larger aircraft. The targets of the planned reshuffle would have been none other than its remaining Boeing 747s. This would have brought an end to half a century of jumbo jet operations at the Indian flag carrier. However, the airline has since stated that such a phase-out will not happen imminently.

The end of an era

Reports in local media earlier today suggested that the country's flag carrier had decided to withdraw its remaining Boeing 747 aircraft. This is a move that has become all too common among airlines worldwide in the last year. This is because the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced 747 operators to reconsider the iconic aircraft's place in the modern airline industry.

For example, last year saw high-profile 747 retirements at established operators such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It appeared that Delhi-based Air India was set to join this list.

In truth, the 747 is not the flagship that it once was at the airline. Indeed, Air India recently relegated it to domestic duties on higher-demand internal routes. However, in its absence from regular long-haul passenger traffic, the 747 has also flown VIP and governmental missions.

Air India 747 Getty
Air India's remaining 747s are due for retirement, with an average age of over 25 years Photo: Getty Images

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However, more recently, the airline has taken to Twitter to clarify its position. As seen in the tweet below, it has stated that there is no imminent end in sight for the type.

50 years of operational history

According to Planespotters.net, Air India has operated a total of 27 Boeing 747s over the years. It received its first example half a century ago, in 1971. This aircraft, named Emperor Ashoka, was a 747-200, the first of three variants Air India operated. The full breakdown is as follows.

  • 747-200 - 14 aircraft, 1971-2000.
  • 747-300 - 3 aircraft, 1988-2008.
  • 747-400 - 10 aircraft, 1993-present.
Air India Boeing 747

Air India's four remaining 747-400s have an average age of 25.7 years. As it stands, the airline will be the only Indian carrier to have flown quadjets. While Kingfisher's Vijay Mallya had ordered Airbus A340s, the airline shut down in 2012 before it could ever receive them.

A twin-engine long-haul focus going forward

So where would this leave Air India's long-haul, widebody fleet? In line with current industry-wide trends, the carrier is placing a greater emphasis on more efficient twinjets for its intercontinental operations. While its short-haul fleet is an all-Airbus affair, its widebodies are exclusively Boeing designs.

Air India 777-300ER
Air India flew to STN in 2019. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

The rest of Air India's long-haul fleet currently consists of 16 Boeing 777s (3x -200LR, 13x -300ER) and 27 787-8 'Dreamliner' aircraft. These families have a much healthier average age of 11.4 years and 6.7 years old respectively.

The 747's extra capacity has largely become redundant in the current climate. Considering this, as well as the greater efficiency of the more modern 787, it would be understandable for Air India to join the increasing movement towards a twin-engine future. However, it appears that the carrier plans to continue operating the 747 for the time being, which will surely please avgeeks across India.

Have you ever flown on one of Air India's 747s? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!