Boeing 777-300 ER May Replace Boeing 747-400 as Air India One

[Chanakya's_Chant]

Boeing 777-300 ER may be next VVIP aircraft

An Air India Boeing 777-200LR is rolled out of the paint hangar at the Boeing Everett Factory​

NEW DELHI: India is looking at the Boeing 777-300 extended range (ER) as a replacement to the ageing Jumbo Jets used as VVIP aircraft for flying our president and prime minister on long overseas tours. Air India has five B747s in its fleets that are maintained mainly for such VVIP flights. But with these aircraft almost 25 years old, a replacement has to be found very soon.

"The B-777 300 ER is being considered as the next VVIP aircraft. AI has been operating these aircraft for years and has the technical and engineering knowhow for their maintenance. It also has the best pilots for the planes in India," said a source.

The Maharaja extensively uses the B 777-300 ER for long haul flights, including the nonstops to North America. Choosing this aircraft would mean that AI can use this for commercial flights when the same are not required for VVIP visits and make it an 'earning' member of the AI fleet.

"There is also a practice that when a VVIP flight goes from Delhi, another aircraft is kept on standby here in case AI One develops a snag. When AI One lands abroad, say for instance in US, another nearest AI aircraft, in this case at New York where it has gone for a commercial flight, is kept as standby for the VVIP plane. Having a 777-300 ER as the next AI One would mean this practice can continue without any break," said a source.

Security and safety considerations, including in US, have so far favored four-engined jets like B-747 over twin engined ones. The B-777 is a twin-engine jet. "In case of an engine failure, both twin and four-engine planes can land safely at the nearest airport. So technically speaking, safety considerations of modern day jets are the same for both these planes," said a source.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of commercial jets being used globally are twin-engine. Four engine options are mainly restricted to three commercial planes — Airbus A 380 and 340 and B-747.

Both Boeing and Airbus are struggling to find buyers — read commercial airlines — for these planes as twin engine aircraft are ruling the skies now. Once phased out as the VVIP aircraft, AI will remove the B-747s from its fleet. And then no Indian carrier or IAF would have any four-engine commercial airliner.

Source:- Boeing 777-300 ER may be next VVIP aircraft - The Times of India

 

[Donatello]

A340 is no longer offered, only used stocks.
USA went with 747-8 as it makes sense to have 4 engines than 2.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Boeing 777-300 ER may be next VVIP aircraft

An Air India Boeing 777-200LR is rolled out of the paint hangar at the Boeing Everett Factory​

NEW DELHI: India is looking at the Boeing 777-300 extended range (ER) as a replacement to the ageing Jumbo Jets used as VVIP aircraft for flying our president and prime minister on long overseas tours. Air India has five B747s in its fleets that are maintained mainly for such VVIP flights. But with these aircraft almost 25 years old, a replacement has to be found very soon.

"The B-777 300 ER is being considered as the next VVIP aircraft. AI has been operating these aircraft for years and has the technical and engineering knowhow for their maintenance. It also has the best pilots for the planes in India," said a source.

The Maharaja extensively uses the B 777-300 ER for long haul flights, including the nonstops to North America. Choosing this aircraft would mean that AI can use this for commercial flights when the same are not required for VVIP visits and make it an 'earning' member of the AI fleet.

"There is also a practice that when a VVIP flight goes from Delhi, another aircraft is kept on standby here in case AI One develops a snag. When AI One lands abroad, say for instance in US, another nearest AI aircraft, in this case at New York where it has gone for a commercial flight, is kept as standby for the VVIP plane. Having a 777-300 ER as the next AI One would mean this practice can continue without any break," said a source.

Security and safety considerations, including in US, have so far favored four-engined jets like B-747 over twin engined ones. The B-777 is a twin-engine jet. "In case of an engine failure, both twin and four-engine planes can land safely at the nearest airport. So technically speaking, safety considerations of modern day jets are the same for both these planes," said a source.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of commercial jets being used globally are twin-engine. Four engine options are mainly restricted to three commercial planes — Airbus A 380 and 340 and B-747.

Both Boeing and Airbus are struggling to find buyers — read commercial airlines — for these planes as twin engine aircraft are ruling the skies now. Once phased out as the VVIP aircraft, AI will remove the B-747s from its fleet. And then no Indian carrier or IAF would have any four-engine commercial airliner.

Source:- Boeing 777-300 ER may be next VVIP aircraft - The Times of India

Same old news being reported.

-The MoD/GoI are still to decided on the twin engine vs four engine issue
-It has not been decided whether the Air India One fleet should continue to be in Air India's hands or the IAF's (a far better solution)


The IAF should follow the USAF's example and get a couple of customised 747-8s for this role.

+ @Chanakya's_Chant the title of this thread is misleading- it should be Boeing 777-300 ER MAY replace....

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

Same old news being reported.

-The MoD/GoI are still to decided on the twin engine vs four engine issue
-It has not been decided whether the Air India One fleet should continue to be in Air India's hands or the IAF's (a far better solution)


The IAF should follow the USAF's example and get a couple of customised 747-8s for this role.

+ @Chanakya's_Chant the title of this thread is misleading- it should be Boeing 777-300 ER MAY replace....

It would definitely be a four-engined aircraft to meet the Special Protection Group's (SPG) requirements for four engines.

 

[Tshering22]

It would definitely be a four-engined aircraft to meet the Special Protection Group's (SPG) requirements for four engines.

In that case, the new aircraft will either be a B747-800 or an Airbus A380.

 

[Abingdonboy]

In that case, the new aircraft will either be a B747-800 or an Airbus A380.

The Airbus A380 is absurdly impractical for this role so the 747-8 wins by default. But I'm not convinced the SPG's 4 engined requirement will be listened to, especially if the clowns at AI are calling the shots. They clearly are pushing for the 777-400 ER. If the IAF gets control of the next generation of Air India One (fingers crossed) then yes, the SPG's voice will be listened to and let's expect the 747-8. If Air India is allowed to continue with this role (please God no) then expect the 777-400 ER.

 

[Tshering22]

The Airbus A380 is absurdly impractical for this role so the 747-8 wins by default. But I'm not convinced the SPG's 4 engined requirement will be listened to, especially if the clowns at AI are calling the shots. They clearly are pushing for the 777-400 ER. If the IAF gets control of the next generation of Air India One (fingers crossed) then yes, the SPG's voice will be listened to and let's expect the 747-8. If Air India is allowed to continue with this role (please God no) then expect the 777-400 ER.

Air India has no say in the VVIP aircraft fleet. The only reason why it worked out well was because AI already had 7747s which could be modified later. However, this time there is no four engine aircraft with them. This leaves the SPG to take the decision as they are solely responsible for protection of the Prime Minister and President of India and their families.

AI's voice counts a squat.

Their perspective is purely commercial and ease of use. However, it is IAF pilots that will be flying the VVIP aircraft under the SPG guidelines.

It would be simply stupid to have a civilian pilot to fly the PM's or President's jet.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Air India has no say in the VVIP aircraft fleet. The only reason why it worked out well was because AI already had 7747s which could be modified later. However, this time there is no four engine aircraft with them. This leaves the SPG to take the decision as they are solely responsible for protection of the Prime Minister and President of India and their families.

AI's voice counts a squat.

Their perspective is purely commercial and ease of use. However, it is IAF pilots that will be flying the VVIP aircraft under the SPG guidelines.

It would be simply stupid to have a civilian pilot to fly the PM's or President's jet.

Bro I hope/wish what you say is correct but if Air India have their say I will be the 777 that much has been spelled out in the above article.

Yes the SPG have the say on the PM's arrangements like how they were the ones who laid out the criteria for the VVIP helos then it would be a 4 engined airliner BUT in this case because in the past it has been Air India that has operated/owned/maintained the aircraft I'm not sure what's role and say they have in all of this.

Ideally they are cut out of the picture entirely and the VVIP Long range aircraft goes to the IAF's VIP communication squadron alongside the BBJs. This would be the safest and most sensible option. Forget about using the prime Minster's aircraft for commercial duties. I can't believe this practice has been allowed until now to be honest but let's hope it comes to an end as these AI 747-7s are retired.


And FYI bro, the current arrangement for flying the PM is that it is AI pilots Not IAF pilots who fly (crazy I know ) and the aircraft is monitored by the IAF at Palmam AFS.

 

[Echo_419]

The Airbus A380 is absurdly impractical for this role so the 747-8 wins by default. But I'm not convinced the SPG's 4 engined requirement will be listened to, especially if the clowns at AI are calling the shots. They clearly are pushing for the 777-400 ER. If the IAF gets control of the next generation of Air India One (fingers crossed) then yes, the SPG's voice will be listened to and let's expect the 747-8. If Air India is allowed to continue with this role (please God no) then expect the 777-400 ER.

Any other contender to replace the 747 then

 

[Imran Khan]

i am in love with 777 since 2001 first fly on it . man its super .

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

A340 is no longer offered, only used stocks.
USA went with 747-8 as it makes sense to have 4 engines than 2.

Yep, 747-8 just announced the other day
Boeing Tapped for Air Force One Replacement

 

[Abingdonboy]

Any other contender to replace the 747 then

The only 4 engined planes suitable for this task are the 747-8 and A380. Of these the 747-8 makes a lot more sense and the A380 is just unrealistic for this role.

 

[Otocal]

What is the scope of IAF taking over such operations?

Surely more professional than Air India

 

[Donatello]

The Airbus A380 is absurdly impractical for this role so the 747-8 wins by default. But I'm not convinced the SPG's 4 engined requirement will be listened to, especially if the clowns at AI are calling the shots. They clearly are pushing for the 777-400 ER. If the IAF gets control of the next generation of Air India One (fingers crossed) then yes, the SPG's voice will be listened to and let's expect the 747-8. If Air India is allowed to continue with this role (please God no) then expect the 777-400 ER.

There is no 777-400. The next iteration is 777-8 or 777-9 and that is a good 5 years away. India currently has three options for long range, large MTOW VIP operations.....
A380- Which might be too big (though the Gulf royals seem to have fun with theirs)
747-400 of the AI, but they need to be retired, so 747-8.
777-300ER, but then it is twin jet.

If they go with the 777-300, then they'll need the maximum rated engines for that, so in case of one engine loss (50% rated thrust) you can still have decent ETOPs safety and operations.

 

[CONNAN]

A380 will be epic