Tata in talks with aircraft makers over order for Air India -sources

Executives from the Tata Group met planemakers Boeing Co and Airbus SE who, however, refused to comment any any discussions it ‘may or may not be having with potential customers’.

Planemakers Boeing Co and Airbus SE have met executives from Tata Group in recent weeks to discuss plane orders for Air India, two people familiar with the matter said.

Tatas last month regained ownership of state-run carrier Air India after nearly 70 years in a $2.4 billion equity-and-debt deal. While the airline has lucrative landing slots, the group faces an uphill task to upgrade Air India's ageing fleet and turn around its financials and service levels.

Air India has a mixed fleet of over 140 Airbus and Boeing planes, and industry executives estimate it would cost Tata more than $1 billion to refurbish the ageing aircraft.

Airbus declined to comment on discussions it says it "may or may not be having with potential customers". Boeing said it does not comment on conversations it might have with its customers.

Tata did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Tata had begun preliminary discussions with the planemakers and lessors for jets including Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, citing people familiar with the matter.

The airline, with its maharajah mascot, was once renowned for its lavishly decorated planes and stellar service championed by founder JRD Tata. Air India was founded in 1932 and nationalised in 1953.