Air India is modernizing its fleet with significant upgrades, including retrofitting Boeing 787s and A320neos by 2025. The airline is also addressing performance challenges with older Boeing 777s and exploring dry leasing to boost capacity in a competitive market. Air India has announced an ambitious growth strategy aimed at enhancing its global market share. Key elements of this plan include the introduction of first-class seats on its wide-body Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, a significant fleet expansion, and an enhanced premium travel experience.

First-Class Comfort Takes Flight
Discerning travellers will rejoice at the return of opulent first-class cabins on Air India’s wide-body A350-1000 aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next two years. Recognizing the enduring appeal of first-class travel, Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasizes its significance in maintaining competitiveness. “First class is a niche product that most leading airlines still offer on prominent routes,” he remarked.

Fleet Expansion and Upgrades
Air India is taking significant steps to modernize and expand its fleet, ensuring improved performance and passenger experience.

► The airline’s fleet comprises 202 aircraft, including 67 wide-body planes, featuring 27 Boeing 777s and 40 Boeing 787s.
► A retrofit program is underway, starting with Boeing 787s this year.
► Upgrades to the vintage Airbus A320neo fleet are expected to be completed by mid-2025.

To tackle challenges with ageing Boeing 777s , the airline has:

► Introduced operational buffers to reduce delays and cancellations.
► Scheduled retrofitting for these aircraft to begin early next year .
Air India is also exploring dry leasing options to boost capacity. However, acquiring wide-body aircraft remains a challenge due to high demand in the market.

Enhanced Premium Experience
Air India is increasing the number of premium economy and business class seats on its wide-body aircraft. Aggarwal emphasized the growth potential in premium segments, stating, “We are very focused on the premium segment, and there are significant opportunities here.” The airline aims to nearly double the premium seat count on its wide-body planes, catering to a growing demand for luxury travel.

Streamlined Connectivity and Network Realignment
To improve customer experience, Air India has reduced the average connection time between domestic and international flights from 6.5 to 3.5 hours. The airline is focusing on hub operations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with plans to connect traffic from Southeast Asia, the Far East, and SAARC nations to Europe, North America, and Canada.

Loyalty Program Revamp
Air India’s loyalty program, Maharaja Club, boasts over 10.3 million members. Plans are underway to integrate Air India Express customers into a unified group loyalty program, further strengthening customer engagement.

Tata Group’s Leadership: A Path to Growth
Under Tata Group’s management, Air India has undergone substantial transformation. The airline group, which includes Air India, Air India Express, Vistara, and AIX Connect, now operates 1,168 daily flights across 313 international routes. Since FY2020, the group’s revenue has surged nearly tenfold, reaching approximately USD 10 billion.

CONCLUSION
Air India’s expansion plan underscores its commitment to elevating the travel experience for passengers and reclaiming its position as a global leader in aviation. With first-class offerings, fleet enhancements, and a focus on premium markets, the airline is set to redefine its presence on the global stage.