The aviation industry is growing in a fast pace like never before. In 2023, Indian airlines out paced top countries by placing highest number of orders for aircraft. According to Airbus, Indian civil aviation sector will require around 2,840 new aircraft over the next twenty years to meet the market demand.
Airplanes are made to be easily maintained, and are always maintained following a strict maintenance schedule due to which lifespan of an aircraft are significantly higher when compared with cars. Here is a look at the some of the India’s oldest commercial passenger planes still in operation.
1. Boeing 737-200 of IAF (1984)
The oldest active passenger aircraft in India is a 53.1 years old Boeing 737-200 with registration number K3187. While it currently flies for the Indian Air Force (IAF), it has a commercial history and was flown by Indian Airlines as VT-EAJ with serial number 273 first entered service in January 1971. Later, in 1993, it was acquired by the IAF, and its registration was changed to K3187.
Apart from K3187, IAF also has two more active Boeing 737-200 aircraft bearing registration K2412 and K2413 (both are 40.5 years old). Both these aircraft were also first operated by the Indian Airlines with the registration number VT-EHW and VT-EHX respectively, during 1983. These older refurbished 737s are mainly used as VIP aircraft to fly ministers and officials in the country.
The K3187, K2412 and K2413 are one among the few Boeing 737-200 which are still in active service around the world.
2. Boeing 757-200 (F) of Blue Dart Aviation (1992)
The Boeing 757-200 (F) with the registration VT-BDO is the India’s oldest freight aircraft (31.8 years). The Blue Dart Aviation’s entire fleet consists of Boeing 757-200 (F), among which most of them has an age between 23 to 29 years.
The VT-BDO entered service in 1992 with Britannia Airways and was converted into a freighter in 2002 for Boullioun Aviation Services. After flying cargo for Icelands Air (on-lease) and Erickson Aviation, it entered Blue Dart’s fleet in July 2012.
3. Bombardier CRJ-100 of Club One Air (1997)
The Bombardier CRJ-100 with registration VT-ARE operated by Club One Air is a 27 years old aircraft. The Club One Air’s Bombardier CRJ-100 aircraft have been in the flight game since 1997. It wasn’t always a part of the Club One Air lineup, as it was previously owned and operated by Comair, followed by Flying Colours Corp. Club One Air obtained the aircraft in 2008.
4. Boeing 737-8AS (WL) of SpiceJet (2003)
VT-SYJ is a 20.1 year old Boeing 737-8AS (WL) aircraft operated by SpiceJet. VT-SYJ first entered into service as EI-DAW of Ryan Air. It was first owned and operated by Ryan Air under the registration EI-DAW, later it was taken on lease from RBS Aviation Capital by JetLite, followed by JetKonnect (VT-JLF). SpiceJet has been using this aircraft on lease since 2019.
5. Airbus A319-100 of Air India (2005)
Airbus A319-100 is the oldest aircraft operated by the Air India. At present, the airline has 12 Airbus A319-100 (3 under maintenance) among which VT-SCB and VT-SCC are the oldest active planes (both are of 18.5 years old). Rest 10 aircraft are aged between 14 to 17 years old.
6. Airbus A320-216 of AIX Connect (2005)
VT-HYD Airbus A320-216 is the oldest aircraft operated by AIX Connect (18.2 years old). AIX Connect (earlier known as AirAsia India) has 14 Airbus A320-216 in its fleet, most of them are aged between 10 to 16 years.
AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India, is an Indian low-cost airline headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India Limited. Tata Group, the parent company of Air India Limited is planning to merge Air India Express with AIX Connect.
7. Airbus A320-232 of IndiGo (2006)
ES-SAY is the oldest Airbus A320-232 operated by IndiGo (17.9 years old). ES-SAY is an aircraft leased from SmartLynx Estonia. The aircraft was first operated by China Southern Airlines and later it was operated by Sky Angkor Airlines, Avion Express and TUI Airways. At present, the IndiGo operates 30 Airbus A320-200 series aircraft.
8. Boeing 737-8HG (WL) of Air India Express (2006)
Boeing 737-8HG (WL) sporting the registration VT-AXI is the oldest Boeing aircraft operated by Air India Express. VT-AXI is 17.1 years old. There are total of 15 Boeing 737-8HG in its fleet, among which most of them are aged between 14 to 17 years old.
Air India Express is a low-cost commercial airline headquartered in India and subsidiary of Air India Limited. It operates more than 800 flights per week to 44 destinations including the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
9. Boeing 777-31H(ER) of IndiGo (2007)
TC-LKE is the oldest Boeing aircraft operated by IndiGo. The 16.9 years old TC-LKE is one among the two Boeing 777 long haul aircraft taken on damp lease from Turkish airline by IndiGo last year. TC-LKE is operating flights to and from Mumbai-Istanbul route. The aircraft was first operated by Emirates in 2007 under the registration A6-EBX.
10. Boeing 777-300ER of Air India (2007)
Boeing 777-337ER with the 16.3 years old registration VT-ALJ is the oldest active Boeing 777 aircraft in the Air India’s fleet. Air India’s fleet consist of 24 Boeing 777 aircraft, among which 21 planes are currently in service.