The government of India announced the arrival of the first specially equipped Boeing 777 that was added to the Air India One fleet. The plane will operate on the government flights to transport its Prime Minister and other senior officials of India.
After completing a 15-hour flight from Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas, the first specially modified Boeing 777-300ER landed in New Delhi Airport (IGI) on September 1, 2020. According to the Hindustan Times, the aircraft will operate VVIP flights for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
The government is currently waiting for the second Triple Seven to be refurbished for VVIP flight missions. The local media stated that the first special Boeing 777 was scheduled to arrive in September, but the delivery was delayed due to unspecified operational issues.
A newly modified aircraft was reconfigured to include generous office space, which includes wide meeting rooms and a medical center.
The government of India stated that the aircraft is equipped with the Self-Protection Suites (SPS) as well as the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM), a special system designed to protect large aircraft from man-portable missiles.
These system components should bring the security level of Air India One as high as Air Force One, the aircraft used by the American President, has.