Air India One 777
A US-based aviation photographer has clicked what appears to be the first image of the VVIP Boeing-777 jet that India is buying for the use of the prime minister, president and vice president.
Oct 01, 2020 The first of two custom-made Boeing 777 aircraft, which will be used to fly the President, the Vice President, and the Prime Minister, arrived in Delhi on Thursday. Air India One, which is the call.
Pity about the livery though 😴
- India All Set for “Air Force One” Boeing 777s Two brand new Boeing 777-300 are all set to arrive and join the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Air Headquarters Communication Squadron, also referred to as the VVIP squadron. There are only three designated VVIPs in India. These are the President, Vice President and the Prime Minister.
- Air India’s business class on the 777-300ER is undoubtedly just not worth it. The seat felt like cardboard, the flight attendants were incredibly rude and the IFE system was comically outdated. There was nothing premium about this experience, except for the fact that the seat was (almost) lie-flat, a godsend when spending about 20 hours on the plane, including the time we spent on the ground as well as in the air.
- The government recently took delivery of two specially-modified Boeing 777-300ERs for VIP travel. These aircraft replace the aging Air India fleet of 747s which were previously used for official travel. The new Air India One comes with state-of-the-air defense systems and a brand-new interior. The plane will be used by the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister of India, along with other dignitaries.
- The performance and economics of the 777-300ER are unbeaten, and its range, capability and efficiency help operators maximize profits. That's why the 777 is the most popular and commercially successful twin aisle aircraft of all time. The 777 is always outperforming. Learn more about the 777.
Later this year, India will receive two Boeing-777 jets in a VVIP configuration for the long-distance travels of the three senior government officials. The aircraft, popularly referred to as 'Air India One', will replace the ageing Boeing-747 jets of Air India's passenger fleet that are commandeered for the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
The photograph of the VVIP Boeing-777 for India was taken by Andy Egloff, a flight dispatcher with American Airlines in Grapevine, Texas. In the description of the photograph on the aircraft photography site Jet Photos, Egloff said the aircraft was photographed on final approach to the runway of Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, after a flight from 'SBD', an apparent reference to the San Bernardino International Airport in California.
The VVIP Boeing-777 photographed by Egloff had a predominantly white livery, with the words India and Bharat (in Hindi) written on the fuselage. The aircraft also has an impression of the national flag painted across the lower fuselage.
The two VVIP Boeing-777 jets were taken from Air India's fleet in 2018 and sent to the US for modifications, including installation of missile defence systems and advanced communications gear. The Boeing-777 jet photographed by Egloff had a distinctive bulbous 'hump' atop the forward fuselage, which may be intended to house satellite communication gear. The well-known 'Air Force One' Boeing-747 used by the US president has multiple such installations to ensure secure communications.
The Indian Air Force's current fleet of Embraer VVIP jets, used for short-haul flights, also have a predominantly white livery. However, the livery for the Boeing-777 caused disappointment for some on Twitter. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was among them. Commenting on an image of the VVIP Boeing-777 last week, Abdullah tweeted 'Pity about the livery though'.
Meanwhile, officials on Monday said the two VVIP Boeing-777 jets are likely to be delivered to Air India by September. The two Boeing-777 aircraft will be operated by pilots of the Indian Air Force and not of Air India.
However, the new wide-body planes will be maintained by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which is a subsidiary of the Indian national carrier, the officials said.
In addition to its highly improved self-defence equipment, the VVIP Boeing-777 would be able to fly long-distance routes, such as from India to the US, without a refuelling stop. The current Boeing-747 fleet is incapable of doing so.
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The first of the two VVIP aircraft Air India One on which the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister will hop-on for their foreign or domestic visits, will arrive in India on Thursday.
'The Special Extra Section Flight (SESF) aircraft for country`s VVIP is arriving today at Delhi`s International Airport,' sources in the government told ANI.
'A joint team of senior officers from National Carrier Air India, VVIP security personnel and senior government officials are on the way to the US to accept the delivery of the VVIP`s flight Air India One,' top government sources had then told ANI.
The plane is equipped with Advanced Electronic Warfare Suites which will not only protect aircraft from any kind of attack from the surface to air but also will be able to take countermeasures in case of an attack.
The new aircraft can fly over 17 hours continuously without landing in between for refueling.
Due to the advanced communication system fitted in the aircraft, Prime minister or the President will be able to communicate with the relevant ground staff through video or audio conferencing without the worry of being hacked or taped.
The New Boeing 777-300ERs will be operated by pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and not of Air India, as earlier.
Air Force One Boeing
The VVIP aircraft B-777 is a replacement of wide-body aircraft Boeing B-747 jumbo aircraft whose call sign is Air India One.
Air India One 777 Cargo
The interior design of the aircraft is very attractive, which was modified recently by Boeing, apart from other customisations.
Air Force One India
'The aircraft has a big suit/cabin for the VVIP, a mini medical center has also been set up in the aircraft. It also has a standard space for the press. The rear seats are of the Economy class category while the rest of the seats are Business class. B777 aircraft can fly over 17 hours continuously,' informed the sources.
Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) will take care of the maintenance of the aircraft.The new Boeing 777 aircraft for VVIPs guest is also equipped with advanced defence systems and will be operated fully by IAF pilots in due course of time.
The colour of Air India Boeing 777 had been totally changed including changes to the design of the aircraft as per the recommendations and further approval by the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO).