Goa, July 23 -- Air India will continue to retain its fleet of retired Airbus A319 aircraft for the next few months, despite withdrawing them from regular commercial operations. The Tata Group-owned airline is keeping the aircraft available as operational backups while the process of selling them moves forward.

According to people familiar with the matter, Air India currently has six Airbus A319 aircraft, most of which remain in flyable condition even after being phased out of scheduled passenger services. The airline plans to use these aircraft as substitute aircraft whenever required and for pilot training until ownership is transferred to buyers.

The decision forms part of Air India's wider fleet modernisation programme, under which ...