Air India to buy 220 Boeing aircraft for $34 billion, Joe Biden calls it 'historic deal'

Air India announced the purchase of 220 planes from Boeing for USD 34 billion, with an option to buy 70 more aircraft that could take the total transaction value to USD 45.9 billion.

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Air India will purchase as many as 220 planes from Boeing for USD 34 billion. (Image: Twitter/@BoeingAirplanes)

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday hailed Air India's decision to purchase over 200 aircraft from Boeing and called it a "historic agreement between Tata-owned airlines and Boeing.

Ready to take off with 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777-9s widebody aircraft, and 190 Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle aircraft. The B777/787s will be powered by GE Aerospace and B737 Max by CFM International#ReadyForMore @BoeingAirplanes @GE_Aerospace @GEIndia @CFM_engines — Air India (@airindiain) February 14, 2023

Responding to the development, Biden said, "United States can and will lead the world in manufacturing. I am proud to announce today the purchase of over 200 American-made aircraft through a historic agreement between Air India and Boeing." "This purchase will support over one million American jobs across 44 states, and many will not require a four-year college degree. This announcement also reflects the strength of US-India economic partnership," Joe Biden said in an official statement released by The White House.

ALSO READ | Air India to buy 250 planes from Airbus Furthermore, Biden also asserted that together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was looking forward to deepen the ties between India and the US. According to reports, Air India will purchase as many as 220 planes from Boeing for USD 34 billion, with an option to buy 70 more aircraft that could take the total transaction value to USD 45.9 billion.

.@airindiain is #ReadyForMore! Congratulations on your selection of 190 737 MAXs, including 737-8 and 737-10, 20 787-9 #Dreamliner(s), and 10 777-9s.

With options for 70 more Boeing jets, you are well on your way. ✈️✈️✈️ pic.twitter.com/UIfYU1tB6m — Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) February 14, 2023

The Air India order is Boeing's third biggest sale ever in dollar value and second in terms of number of planes.