Air India To Return Five Leased B777-200LR Jets To Delta By March 2026

Air India will return five leased Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Delta Air Lines by March 2026, as their lease terms conclude, sources confirmed. The Tata Group-owned airline has already withdrawn two of these wide-body planes from service for maintenance, initiating a phased return process. This move will prompt schedule adjustments for Air India’s North American routes, with minimal disruptions planned, according to an airline spokesperson.

The five Boeing 777-200LRs, previously operated by Delta, were integrated into Air India’s fleet between November 2022 and February 2023 to bolster its long-haul capacity, particularly for U.S. routes like Delhi to San Francisco. The airline has transitioned some of these routes to its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which offer greater seating capacity and updated cabins. Air India had explored extending the leases or purchasing the refurbished planes, but Delta opted to sell them to another party, sources said.

Air India’s current fleet comprises 187 aircraft, including 60 wide-body planes: 19 Boeing 777-300ERs, three Boeing 777-200LRs, 32 Boeing 787s, and six Airbus A350s. Global supply chain disruptions have delayed new aircraft deliveries, forcing airlines like Air India to rely on leased planes to meet rising travel demand. The return of these aircraft may limit Air India’s ability to expand its ultra-long-haul network in the near term, industry analysts note.

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The decision reflects ongoing challenges in the aviation sector, with Air India CEO Campbell Wilson indicating in June 2025 that supply chain issues may persist until 2029 or 2030. Despite these constraints, Air India continues to optimize its operations, having topped on-time performance charts in October 2024 and introduced premium economy cabins on the ex-Delta aircraft, a first for the airline.

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