Vistara (UK, Delhi International) is planning to add sixteen aircraft previously operated by Jet Airways (JAI, Mumbai International), tentatively including all ten B777-300(ER)s, three A330s, and three B737s, the Business Standard has reported.
The carrier is eyeing the widebody aircraft to hasten its entry into the long-haul market, particularly on routes to Europe.
Currently, Vistara operates an exclusively narrowbody fleet of thirteen A320-200s and nine A320-200neo. The 51/49 joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines Group has six B787-9s on order from Boeing with entry into service expected in early 2020.
Prior to its grounding in mid-April, Jet Airways operated ten B777-300(ER)s. The Indian carrier owned all ten units, although their acquisition was backed by US EXIM Bank (United States of America) guarantees. The airline also operated four A330-200s and four A330-300s. Of these, two have already been re-registered on the Isle of Man by owner CDB Aviation.
SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) has so far committed to taking over twenty-two ex-Jet Airways B737s. AirAsia India (Bengaluru International) is also reportedly considering adding some of the narrowbodies, while Air India (AI, Delhi International) dropped a plan to take over ex-Jet B777s.
