Air India One
Air India One (also referred to as AI1
History
Initially, the Air India One was an Air India Boeing 747-400 which used to ferry the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister.
In 2016, the
The aircraft are fitted with encrypted satellite communication facilities and advanced navigation aids, an advanced missile warning system, a missile deflecting shield and electronic countermeasures so as to provide protection from any ground-based or airborne threats and flares and glares for misleading the missile. They are capable of long-range travel removing the need for
At a Boeing facility in
On Air India One flights, the President is designated as VIP-1, the Vice-President as VIP-2, and the Prime Minister as VIP-3. The BBJs have a four class configuration. For VIPs 1, 2 and 3, an executive enclosure in the aircraft includes an office and a bedroom. All other passengers aboard Air India One are required to wear colour-coded identity cards at all times. Members of the official delegation (at the rank of
While
List of VIP aircraft
Indian Air Force has a fleet of six Boeing 737s (Business Boeing Jets (BBJ)). Three named and three unnamed for Domestic Travel of VIPs.
Namely-
- K5012 : 36106 :Rajdoot
- K5013 : 36107 : Rajhans
- K5014 : 36108 : Rajkamal
- K2412 : MSN 23036
- K2413 : MSN 23037
- K3187 : MSN 20483
Rajdoot is used by Prime Minister and the other two Rajkamal and Rajhans are used by President and Vice president respectively. They are luxurious but not as secure as 747s but are still competent.
These airplane is also used for foreign visits to neighbour countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
For visiting military areas or places with no airplane landing facilities, IAF's Mil Mi-17 is used.
Other than these VIP transport of IAF there are four Embraer Legacy 600 that are used by Home, Finance, Defence and External affairs ministers respectively.
- Meghadoot (K601) - Home minister.
- Vayudoot (K602) - External affairs minister.
- Nabhdoot (K603) - Finance minister.
- Gagandoot (K604) - Defence minister.
The rest of cabinet ministers, House speakers, Deputy ministers (Junior and Minister of states) travel in Air India business class. It is same for high ranking bureaucrats and Supreme court judges.
See also
References
- ^ Nayyar, Dhiraj (26 September 2010). "Air India One, Seat No 59G". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ "AirHQ Communications Squadron, Indian Air Force - Database". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ Raj, Ashoke (14 August 2020). "Contingents of Air India, IAF, govt officials and security personnel leave for US to collect VVIP aircraft 'Air India One'". ANI News. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "Know about Air India One! (Air India 1 – AI 1)". Aviation Thrust. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ^ Nayyar, Dhiraj (26 September 2010). "Air India One, Seat No 59G - Indian Express". Indian Express. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "VVIPs get their special jets". Financial Express. 21 September 2005. Retrieved 8 April 2011.