Air India One, meant to fly VVIPs including PM, arrives at Delhi after delays

After a 15-hour flight from Worth Airport in Texas,  first specially modified Boeing 777 aircraft, part of Air India One fleet for Very Very Important Persons (VVIPs), landed in New Delhi on Thursday. VVIP Air India One aircraft that will be used to fly President, Vice-President, and Prime Minister.

B777 aircraft was scheduled to be delivered by aircraft manufacturer Boeing to Air India in July, but its delivery was delayed twice — once in July for a few weeks due to COVID-19 pandemic and n in August for a few weeks due to technical reasons.

aircraft is equipped with an vanced communication system which allows availing audio and video communication function mid-air without being hacked. It is also capable of countering missile threats with its own missile defence system, called Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-Protection Suites (SPS), which US agreed to sell at a cost of USD 190 million.

modified aircraft is set to match US President’s Air Force One in terms of security measures. 

Air India One landed at Delhi airport at around 3 pm on Thursday. Currently, it will be used to fly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and or senior dignitaries of country.

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As per reports, ar custom-me B777 plane for travel of VVIPs is likely to be received from Boeing during a later date. se two aircraft were part of Air India's commercial fleet for a few months in 2018 before y were sent back to a Dallas facility to get an vanced upgre.

Pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF) and t of Air India will be operating two aircraft during travel by VVIPs, according to government officials.

Currently, President, Vice President and PM fly on Air India's B747 planes, which have call sign Air India One. Air India pilots fly this aircraft for dignitaries and Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) maintains m. When aircraft is t flying dignitaries, y are used by Indian national carrier for commercial operations.

Centre has alrey initiated process of divestment of its stake in Air India, which has a debt of over Rs 60,000 crore. However, process has been postponed due to pandemic and lack of buyer interest.

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