Air India has successfully sold four Boeing 747-400 aircraft to the United States-based aftermarket aircraft broker, AerSale, as reported by The Economic Times. This sale concludes an extensive marketing effort by the flag carrier, which ceased operating these aircraft for revenue flights back in 2021.
The sale was managed by the UK-based remarketing firm Skytech-AIC. Details on Skytech-AIC’s website confirm that the planes sold include the 1993-built VT-ESO (msn 27165), the 1994-built VT-ESP (msn 27214), and two from 1996, VT-EVA (msn 28094) and VT-EVB (msn 28095). All four aircraft are currently stored at Mumbai International.
ch-aviation reports that as of last week, only one of these aircraft had completed the sale process, with the remaining three under agreements yet to be finalized. VMAN Aero Services is reportedly overseeing the transfer of the aircraft to AerSale. Post-transfer, two of the planes are slated for conversion into freighters, while the other two will be dismantled for parts.
AerSale and VMAN Aero Services have been contacted for further comments regarding the transaction.
Over the years, Air India has operated a diverse fleet of twenty-five Boeing 747 aircraft, ranging from the Boeing 747-200Bs to Boeing 747-400Ms, serving both as passenger airliners and VIP transports for the Indian government. This sale marks the end of an era for Air India’s iconic Boeing 747 fleet, transitioning as the airline continues to modernize and update its operations.
