Air India to Add 50-60 Aircraft in 18 Months as Tata-Led Transformation Moves Ahead

Air India Group is expected to receive 50-60 new aircraft over the next 18 months as part of its ongoing fleet expansion and transformation programme, despite facing multiple industry challenges, a senior company executive said.

Nipun Aggarwal , Chief Commercial Officer of Air India and Chairman of Air India Express, said the airline’s ambitious five-year transformation plan remains on track , although unexpected disruptions, including supply chain issues, airspace restrictions, fuel price volatility, geopolitical tensions and aircraft delivery delays, have affected the pace of progress. Aggarwal said the airline has gained valuable experience during the transformation journey and remains confident about achieving its long-term goals. The programme includes fleet modernisation, aircraft upgrades and investments in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure .

Air India Group currently operates more than 290 aircraft , including Air India and Air India Express fleets, and has an order book of nearly 600 aircraft that will be delivered over the next several years. The group plans to add around 50-60 aircraft annually for the next seven to eight years , comprising both wide-body and narrow-body planes. The airline executive said deliveries are expected to accelerate from the end of this year, with the company set to receive around 10-15 wide-body and 45-50 narrow-body aircraft every year once the supply chain stabilises.

Air India Express is expected to complete the retrofitting of its entire fleet by March next year , while Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777 aircraft will undergo cabin upgrades over the next two to three years. Deliveries of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft remain on schedule , while Air India is awaiting certification for the Boeing MAX 10.

The airline has also started restoring its network after temporarily reducing some flights due to high fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainties. Operations in the Middle East have largely recovered, while services to Europe and the US are being gradually expanded. Aggarwal said Air India is focusing not only on aircraft upgrades but also on improving customer experience, crew training, service standards and operational reliability . Acquired by Tata Group in January 2022 , Air India is undergoing one of the largest airline transformation programmes, aimed at building a modern global carrier.