Air India One is the call sign of any aircraft with the Prime Minister or President of India on board. Air India is the national airline of India. The aircraft are operated as VIP flights by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Here are 12 things you didn’t know about Air India One
1. Air India One (Flight no. AI 1, always) is a Boeing 747-400 aircraft used to carry the President, the PM and Vice President of India Overseas.
2. Currently, Air India has 5 of these aircrafts that are deployed to carry regular passengers, if not in use for the VVIP flights.
3. The aircraft is operated by the Indian Air Force from Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi.
4. There is a panel of 8 pilots who are prepared to fly the VVIPs, and four pilots are on board at all times during the flight. All the countries en route are informed about the schedule of the VVIP flights. There is also a doctor and medical emergency equipment on board to attend to any emergency in the flight.
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5. When a VVIP flight is scheduled, an aircraft is pulled out of commercial operation and fitted with VVIP configuration that includes a suite, lounge, bedroom, 6-seater office, satellite phones, etc.
6. It has an automated flight management system that facilitates a wide range of internal tasks, thereby reducing the workload of the flight crew.
7. The commandos of SPG (Special Protection Group) take over the security of the aircraft and conduct severe checks in every corner of the plane including the fuel and water being loaded. Every panel, switch, and lever is examined, and swab tests are conducted.
8. The aircraft is equipped with self-protection systems, but these do not meet the SPG’s requirement for four engines and comes without air to air refueling and anti-missile defense systems.
9. The 777-300s will be equipped with robust defense systems like ‘radar warning receivers’ and ‘missile-approach warning systems’. These would have the ability to jam radars and shoot metal chaffs or flares at the approaching missiles.
10. There’s always a jumbo aircraft kept in standby mode during such flights to tackle emergency situations. Recently, in April 2015, when the PM’s plane developed an engine snag in Berlin, the standby plane was sent to carry him further to Canada.
There is a standby Boeing 747 plane, four Embraer 135 aircrafts, three Boeing business jets to cater to domestic and nearby country visits.
11. Ultra long-haul Boeing 777-300 would now be deployed for VVIP flights by the end of the year 2015-16 as per a decision taken by the Center recently, that would have self-protection suites and complex navigation aids.
12. Guests are served with a gourmet meal according to their personal choices. Sources say that PM Modi prefers a simple vegetarian meal with fruits and some warm water when he is fasting. No alcohol is served in the Air India One.
12 Things You Didn’t Know About Air India One
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