Air India One (also referred to as AI1[1] or AIC1) is the call sign of the aircraft with the President, Vice President or Prime Minister of India on board. The aircraft is operated as a VVIP flight by the Indian Air Force (IAF).[2] The IAF's Air Headquarters Communication Squadron, based at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, is in charge of operating these aircraft.
Boeing 777-300ER was selected as the next Air India One rather than the former Boeing 747-400 series. The new jets were selected due to their fuel efficiency and can fly non stop without refuelling. The former Boeing 747-400 would have to land half way for refuelling. The new jets are fitted with Jammers and special defence features.
Current fleet
Apart from the Boeing 777-300ER's owned by Indian Air Force used on international state visits, the IAF currently owns four 14 seater Embraer 135, four 20 seater Embraer 145 and three customised 46 seater Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) that have a VIP cabin and are used for VIP movement. Of these the Boeing 777s are used mainly by the Prime Minister, President or Vice President when on official visits.[3][4] Each Embraer 135 is equipped with missile-deflecting systems, modern flight management system including global positioning system, as well as category II instrument landing system. These aircraft cost the IAF ₹1.4 billion (US$20 million) each.[4] The Three BBJs, named Rajdoot, Rajhans and Rajkamal cost the IAF ₹9.34 billion (US$130 million) each (₹7.34 billion (US$100 million) for the actual aircraft plus an additional ₹2 billion (US$28 million) for Self Protection Suites).[2][3] Self-protection suites include radar warning receivers, it also has highly trained commandos to protect the president/vice/prime minister, missile-approach warning and counter-measure systems. The aircraft has the capability to shoot chaff and flares to deviate radar-guided and heat-seeking missiles off their track along with other security tools. The other security instruments are undisclosed by the Indian Air Force.
The onboard electronics include about 238 miles of wiring (twice the amount found in a normal 777). Heavy shielding is tough enough to protect the wiring and crucial electronics from the electromagnetic pulse associated with a nuclear blast.[5] The President is designated VIP 1, The Vice-President, VIP 2, and The Prime Minister, VIP 3. The BBJs have a four class configuration. For the President/Prime Minister, there is a separate enclosure in the aircraft which includes an office and a bedroom. Everyone aboard Air India One is required to wear a colour-coded identity card. Members of the official delegation (Joint Secretary level and above) are tagged in purple and sit in First Class while accompanying the VIPs. The accompanying officials (junior bureaucrats and support staff) are tagged in pink. The support staff, president's cooks and butlers join the security team from the Delhi police (not SPG) are tagged in red, while Journalists, sport a prominent Yellow tag.[6]
As they have become less cost-effective to operate, the Indian Air Force have replaced the present Boeing 747-400 with the Boeing 777-300ER. The planes in question have arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi.[7]
Fleet Gallery
| Fleet | Number |
|---|---|
| Boeing 777-300ER | 2 |
| Boeing 737-700BBJ | 3 |
| Mil Mi 8 | 6 |
| Embraer 135 | 4 |
| Embraer 145 | 4 |
| Total | 19 |
-
Mil Mi 8 VIP helicopter used to ferry the Prime Minister and the President to the airport or for short distances -
Indian Air Force Embraer 135 named Gagandoot' used for VIP transport -
Indian Air Force Boeing 737-700BBJ named Rajhans used for nearby international trips and trips within India -
Air India Boeing 747-400, which was formerly used as Air India One
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Replacements
Two custom-made Boeing 777 jets (VT-ALV & VT-ALW), are being used to fly the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister since 24 November 2020, & are operated by pilots of the Indian Air Force. However, the new wide-body planes will be maintained by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL), which is a subsidiary of the Indian national carrier, Air India[8] The planes in question landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi as of 1 October 2020.[7] The aircraft are fitted with encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids. The jets are also equipped with an advanced missile warning system, a missile deflecting shield, and electronic counter measures so as to provide protection from any ground-based or air-borne threats and flares and glares for misleading the missile.
See also
- Air Force One - Official aircraft of the President of the United States of America
- Japanese Air Force One - Official presidential aircraft (currently two Boeing 777-300ER) of Japan
- Russian presidential aircraft
- Air transports of heads of state and government
References
- ↑ Nayyar, Dhiraj (26 September 2010). "Air India One,Seat No 59G". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "April 1 date for President with business jets". Zee News. 16 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "India's own Air Force One takes to the skies". The Hindu. 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "VVIPs get their special jets". 21 September 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
- ↑ "Know about Air India One! (Air India 1 – AI 1)". Aviation Thrust. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ↑ Nayyar, Dhiraj (26 September 2010). "Air India One, Seat No 59G - Indian Express". Indian Express. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 ANI (1 October 2020). "First VVIP aircraft 'Air India One' for President, PM to arrive today | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ↑ PTI (10 October 2019). "IAF pilots to fly Modi on new 'Air India One' from next July". The Week. Retrieved 7 April 2021.