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How secret London talks led to Air India’s gigantic plane order


Air India's record aircraft deal has put the Tata Group-owned airline in the league of aspiring global carriers.

On Tuesday, it provisionally agreed to acquire almost 500 jets from Airbus and Boeing to take on domestic and international rivals.

Striking the largest ever deal by one airline took months of secret talks carried out a stone's throw from Britain's Buckingham palace and culminating in a celebration over coastal Indian curries, according to people involved in the talks.

Confidentiality was lifted on Tuesday as leaders hailed the accord in a diplomatic embrace between leading G20 nations. Tata Group, which regained control of Air India last year after decades of public ownership, put out just six paragraphs.

Its low-key announcement illustrates a rising breed of private airline owners transforming a financially-risky Indian airline sector, alongside the publicity-shy founders of IndiGo.

The deal was in the making for over a year, insiders said, recounting details of the process on condition of anonymity.

Serious talks began last summer and continued until days before Christmas when outlines were agreed. As the astonishing scale of the deal began to crystallize, Reuters reported in December the parties were nearing a record 500-plane agreement.

The epicentre of dealmaking was St James' Court – a luxury Victorian hotel near Buckingham Palace in London's West End.

In the hothouse atmosphere of a classic aircraft industry negotiating ritual known as a “bake-off”, negotiators from the airline, plane makers and engine giants camped out at the Tata-owned hotel and neighboring suites for days at a stretch.

They were chasing a bigger slice of a fast-growing market that has seen many airline growth plans rise and fall.

Now, Boeing had a chance to restore its position in India's single-aisle jet market and narrow Airbus' large lead. Airbus wanted a bigger piece of the wide-body market led by its rival. With bulging order books, neither could sweep the whole order.

At stake was India's bid to win back the custom of visitors and its own diaspora from highly efficient Gulf carriers. Politics set the context but talks were commercial – and tough.

“The convergence of the political will of the country to regain sovereignty of international connectivity, combined with the ambition of the mighty Tata … if things are done right it has all the ingredients to be really solid,” Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer told Reuters on Tuesday.

‘Methodical, tough’

The contest for attention played out across London on a chilly day in December as Airbus found itself in talks with Air India on one side of the capital, while fighting Qatar Airways in court over the fate of similar A350 jets just two miles away.

Airbus and Qatar Airways later settled their contractual and safety row, but Air India jumped ahead of Qatar in the queue for smaller jets though sources say the Gulf airline also won hefty damages.

Negotiations led by Air India's chief commercial and transformation officer, Nipun Aggarwal, and Yogesh Agarwal, head of aircraft acquisitions, often stretched into the night with sellers churning out new “best offers” fueled by room service.

“Air India negotiated hard and the team is very sharp despite having no prior aviation experience. They compare with some of the best dealmakers in the business,” one person said.

A second person who watched the billions fall into place said the Air India negotiators were “methodical, tough and very sophisticated”.

The London negotiations ended with a dinner at the hotel's Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Quilon, renowned for its seafood and coastal cuisine from places like Goa and Kerala.

While the major focus in any jet deal is the battle between plane makers, engines are often key and can speed or hold up the wider deal. Plans for announcements on the anniversary of Tata's Air India takeover slipped as engine talks wore on.

The biggest overall winner, insiders say, is General Electric which picks up the lion's share of the lucrative engine deals, with its CFM joint-venture with Safran beating Raytheon-owned rival Pratt & Whitney on Airbus A320neos. Rolls-Royce also got a boost from the sale of 40 Airbus A350s.

Highlighting the long road to strategic deals in aviation, GE's victory had been in the making for about 10 years.

In 2014, it won a tender for 27 engines for Air India A320s. Soon after it convinced Vistara to take on its engines for seven aircraft which later translated into an order for 70 planes. The turning point was IndiGo, which switched from Pratt & Whitney after technical issues that Pratt says have been resolved.

Analysts caution many obstacles remain to Air India's plans. It needs better service and efficiency to make a serious dent in the powerfully entrenched hubs of Doha and Dubai.

But India's potential will continue to lure dealmakers. CAPA India reports IndiGo is exploring its own order for 500 jets.

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fischer Shares Insights on the Future of Construction at the International Expert Forum

The fischer Group of Companies, a renowned German multinational manufacturer
specializing in fastening products for the construction and DIY industry, hosted its second
International Expert Forum (IEF) at the H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The event
gathered industry leaders, partners, and experts to explore advancements in construction,
focusing on sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation.
The forum emphasized fischer’s commitment to sustainable construction practices. Attendees
were introduced to the company’s latest eco-friendly solutions, aligning with global efforts to
reduce the environmental impact of the industry.”We are thrilled to host the IEF in Dubai, a
city recognized for its forward-thinking growth” said Dr. Ronald Mihala from fischer
“fischer is dedicated to driving the future of construction through innovation, digitalization,
and sustainability.”
Operating through 52 subsidiaries with over 4,700 employees, fischer reaffirmed its
commitment to sustainable growth and international expansion. A key focus of the forum was
innovation and digitalization as the future drivers of construction, with speakers discussing
cutting-edge technologies and their applications.Highlights included:

 Dr. Ronald Mihala and Dr. Oliver Geibig on BIM Integration: They showcased
how fischer leverages Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve
collaboration, minimize waste, and streamline project management globally.

 Prof. Konrad Bergmeister on The Future of Construction: Emerging technologies
were discussed as the catalysts for safer, more efficient, and sustainable construction
environments.

 Prof. Ashraf Biddah and Dr. Máté Tóth on Repair & Strengthening of
Structures: Prof. Biddah presented innovative methods for rehabilitating aging
infrastructure. Dr. Tóth introduced fischer’s carbon fiber-based solutions, highlighting
the REINFORCE-FIX software for optimized retrofitting.

The forum also unveiled fischer’s latest products, designed to meet the industry’s evolving
needs with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and advanced technology integration. The
event underscored fischer’s role as a global leader, committed to providing forward-thinking
solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

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Shurooq’s beachfront project Ajwan Khorfakkan attracts strong investor interest at Sharjah Investment Forum 2024

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
showcased its key projects, including Ajwan Khorfakkan, Maryam Island, and Sharjah Sustainable
City, at the 7 th edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum held on 18-19 September, under the
patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme
Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
During the forum, a key highlight was the exhibit featuring Shurooq’s residential project Ajwan,
located in the picturesque city of Khorfakkan. With its strategic location, breathtaking views of the
Gulf of Oman, and majestic mountains, the project seamlessly blends natural beauty with elegant
living spaces.
During the two-day forum, Shurooq’s exhibit garnered significant interest from investors seeking
projects with strong ROI potential and desirable locations for holiday homes or weekend retreats.
Ajwan aims to create a thriving community, offering a blend of hospitality, retail, residential, and
entertainment options, all designed to cater to families and those in search of memorable
experiences.
H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of Shurooq, said: “We are delighted to see
growing interest in our projects such as Ajwan at the Sharjah Investment Forum 2024. As one of our
flagship projects, Ajwan stands out due to its thoughtful design and prime location, making it one of
our most appealing beachfront developments. Beyond being a significant investment opportunity,
what I value most about this project is its serene environment, which is thoughtfully designed to
promote peace, positivity, and well-being for its residents. Diverse projects such as Ajwan, Sharjah
Sustainable City, and Maryam Island—each designed to elevate the standards of sustainable and
luxury living in Sharjah—show how Shurooq supports Sharjah’s strategic vision. The forum provided
a valuable opportunity for Shurooq to showcase our commitment to developing impactful,
sustainable projects that enhance quality of life while also creating attractive investment
opportunities for investors from different parts of the world.”
Over the past months, Ajwan has garnered significant investor attention primarily due to its key
features, including competitive prices, high-quality living, a strategic location, and attractions for all
ages. Its residential buildings, Al Joon and Saahil, with captivating views, have become so popular
that only a few units are left for sale. The project also features a first-of-its-kind waterpark in the
eastern region of the UAE and is just a 5-minute drive from Khorfakkan’s main attractions such as
the waterfall and amphitheater.
Ajwan’s first phase consists of 79 units, with two-bedroom apartments ranging from 127 to 231 m²
and prices starting from AED 1,899,000. The three-bedroom apartments, ranging from 168 to 289
m², are offered at a starting price of AED 2,099,000. The three-bedroom duplex apartments measure
235 to 275 m² and start from AED 3,799,000. Four-bedroom apartments extend over 225 to 369 m²,
with prices beginning at AED 2,799,000. The four-bedroom duplex apartments cover 272 to 312 m²

and are available from AED 4,199,000. The project is slated to
be completed in the last quarter of 2026.

During the forum, Shurooq also showcased its Maryam Island project—a mixed-use development
featuring 20 residential buildings comprising over 3,500 homes. Spread over a massive 3.3 million sq.
ft. area, the waterfront destination will offer unrivaled vistas of Al Mamzar Beach and Al Khan
Lagoon. The project is due for completion in 2026.
In addition, visitors to Shurooq’s exhibit learned about Sharjah Sustainable City, the first sustainable
master-planned residential community developed by Shurooq in partnership with Diamond
Developers. This development has become one of the most sought-after residential communities,
nearly sold out with only a few villas remaining. It recently surpassed AED 2.5 billion in sales across
all four phases, with the final phase scheduled for completion in 2025.
Organized by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), under the theme ‘A Futuristic Vision for
Smart Economies,’ this year’s forum featured over 80 renowned global experts and included
workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches. The forum discussed the role of investments
and capital in directing AI systems to support global growth and enhance efficiency, flexibility, and
inclusiveness across various sectors, including real estate.

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Estithmar Holding Lists the First Corporate Sukuk in Qatari Riyals on London Stock Exchange

Estithmar Holding celebrated this morning the listing of its first Sukuk in Qatari Riyals on
London Stock Exchange, at the Stock Exchange’s headquarters. This is the first time that London
Stock Exchange has witnessed listing in Qatari riyals.
The market open ceremony for the listing of Estithmar Holding Sukuks was attended by Eng.
Mohammed bin Bader Al-Sada, Group CEO of Estithmar Holding, in addition to key executives
from the company, Mr. Shrey Kohli, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Issuer Services in
London Stock Exchange, members of the LSE team, and a group of media representatives.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the joint lead managers of the issuance
and Qatari financial institutions; Mr. Mohammed Ismail Al-Emadi, CEO of Lisha Bank, Mr.
Ahmed Hashem, acting CEO of Dukhan Bank, Mr. Akber Khan, acting CEO of Al Rayan
Investment and Mr. Haithem Katerji, CEO of The First Investor. The ceremony was attended
also by Mr. Charbel AbuCharaf, Managing Partner, White and Case Qatar in addition to
representatives of legal and consultancy firms.
Estithmar Holding recently announced its successful issuance of the first corporate Sukuk
denominated in Qatari Riyals, worth QAR 500 million, with an annual profit rate of 8.75%. This
issuance is the inaugural tranche of Estithmar Holding’s QAR 3.4 billion Sukuk program which
earned great interest from investors and governmental and non-governmental institutions. The
list of investors included banks, insurance companies, and asset management companies.
Commenting on the event, Eng. Mohammed bin Badr Al-Sada, CEO of Estihtmar Holding,
highlighted the significance of the listing to the Qatari economy, “This issuance demonstrates
confidence in Qatar's robust economy and highlights the ability of the Qatari private sector to
expand both domestically and internationally, with support from government initiatives that
create a seamless environment where companies can develop and thrive.”.
Al-Sada also pointed out the importance of the issuance as a milestone for the company: “Today
Estithmar Holding operates in 7 countries across four sectors and the Sukuk program we have
listed on the London Stock Exchange is a key component of our growth strategy and will
facilitate further expansion and value creation.”.

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