Air India Launches Own Dreamliner in UK

Monday, 17th June 2013 at 05:55am

The national flag carrier recently launched its own B787 Dreamliner in London during a special gala celebrating its 65th year of operations linking the subcontinent and United Kingdom.

The official event was held on June 9th in the posh The Montcalm Hotel in London. It was well-attended by some of the aviation industry's key personalities of India including Shri Ajit Singh, the country's Minister for Civil Aviation and top executives from Air India.

Guests from the host country included its top government officials and dignitaries and the creme de la creme in UK's high society. The special event was also covered extensively by the local and international media outfit who were eager to hear the latest news from the national flag carrier's newest aircraft acquisition.

Minister Ajit Singh was the keynote speaker who gave a brief historical account of the airline's 65-long years of service between India and the United Kingdom, recalling its inaugural flight from Bombay (now Mumbai) to London on June 8, 1948.

The 65th year anniversary of its UK operations, he added, was doubly special as it also officially launched its first flight using the state-of-the-art B787 Dreamliner to London.

Air India was started by the Tata Group, who pioneered the aviation business in the country in 1932 before it was acquired by the government in 1946.

The airline is aggressively pursuing its expansion program with the acquisition of more aircraft, such as Dreamliners, to augment its fleet.

The B787 plane features a number of technological breakthroughs in commercial aviation business, foremost of which is the use of composite materials in its fuselage and a host of other features which make it 20% more fuel efficient than any other major commercial airliners.

The Minister was very proud with the airline's acquisition and its long history serving the country and its role as a global ambassador of India.

The Dreamliner, as he earlier said, would be a game changer for the flag carrier as it will hopefully catapult itself back into the competition.

The B787 is touted as the crown jewel of the state-owned carrier's fleet as it embarks on a new expansion program with the acquisition of the same aircraft through 2016. So far, the airline has taken delivery of six B787s currently in operation.

Prior to UK debut, Air India had already introduced the Dreamliner into the local market in September last year.

The airline official said that the B787 service in the Mumbai-London route will offer travelers the opportunity to enjoy the state-of-the-art features on board complimented with the airline's excellent in-flight service.

The United Kingdom is one of the three major markets for Air India across its global network. The introduction of the Dreamliner into service in the UK market is significant for its continuing operation in the country.

By: Pete Lee.