Air India formally denied rumors of deferring hundreds of Airbus and Boeing deliveries, asserting its fleet modernization program remains on track despite a reported $2.8 billion loss and ongoing Vistara merger complexities. The carrier’s spokesperson dismissed Bloomberg and Reuters reports suggesting talks to slow up to 500 deliveries as speculative, emphasizing commitment to long-term transformation. Meanwhile, Gulf operators Etihad and Saudia are pursuing preliminary talks to secure earlier slots, with Etihad reportedly close to acquiring near-term Boeing 787 Dreamliner positions currently held by Air India. Industry backlogs at both manufacturers intensify competition for delivery slots, where unconfirmed deferral rumors trigger immediate strategic moves by competitors seeking freed capacity.