Air India has signed an agreement with Kuwait's Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO) to lease 14 Airbus A320neos.

A spokesman for the Star Alliance carrier says deliveries are scheduled to begin in April 2017. The lessor says Air India will take delivery of six aircraft in both 2017 and 2018. The remaining two A320neos will follow in 2019. The aircraft will be leased for a period of 12 years.

All 14 aircraft are part of ALAFCO’s existing order book with Airbus

The deal will see Air India become India's second A320neo operator after low-cost giant IndiGo took delivery of its first A320neo on 11 March.

IndiGo is the largest customer for the re-engined jet, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines, with 430 on order.

Lufthansa became the first operator of the type earlier this year.

Flightglobal's Fleets Analyzer lists Air India as operating 133 aircraft, of which 66 are of the A320-family type.

Source: Cirium Dashboard