The Tata Group-owned Air India received India's first ever Airbus A350, registered as VT-JRA as it continues its transformation, the company said in a media statement on Saturday.

The aircraft will commence commercial service in January 2024 and will initially operate domestically for crew familiarisation, it said. Later on, services will be offered for longer-haul destinationsMumbai Stock Exchange. The carrier will announce the schedule for commercial operations with the A350 in the coming weeks.

"This moment marks a red-letter day for all of us at Air India. The A350 is not just metal and engines; it’s the flying embodiment of the relentless efforts of all Air India employees towards our airline’s continuing transformation and of our commitment to setting new benchmarks. It is also, in many ways, a declaration of Indian aviation’s resurgence on the world stage," said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India in the statement.

The Airbus A350-900 comes in a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats designed by Collins Aerospace. It has 28 private business class suites, 24 premium economy seats, and 264 economy class seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens, the company said.

Wilson informed the company's staff about the delivery on Friday and also said that new uniforms for the airline's ground staff as well as for Air India Express staff will be introduced soon.

Air India had placed orders for 20 Airbus A350-900, with this being the first of the deliveries. Five more are scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India, which plans to induct a total of six A350 planes in the first phase, will be the first Indian carrier to have this type of aircraft.

Among Air India's Airbus orders, there are 20 A350-1000.

Being the first of type for India and Air India, he said there are a number of post-arrival regulatory processes that need to be completed, including customs clearance, various DGCA checks on equipment, as well as a series of ground tests and proving flights to demonstrate procedures in action before the airline is certified to carry passengers.New Delhi Investment

"Thereafter, we will be operating short sectors for a few months so that we can familiarise our pilots with the new aircraft under the tutelage of experienced instructors, and to build a pool sufficient to support long-hail A350 operations later in the year," he said.

As a part of its overhaul, the carrier unveiled the uniforms for cabin crew and pilots designed by ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra.