Air India has made significant strides since its privatization, with ambitious plans to further enhance its global presence in the coming years, according to Campbell Wilson, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. In a New Year message, Wilson highlighted the progress made by the airline and outlined its vision for continued growth and transformation.
Acquired by the Tata Group from the government in January 2022, Air India has embarked on a five-year transformation journey. This initiative includes fleet upgrades, service enhancements, and strategic mergers to establish the airline as a leading global player.
Fleet Expansion and Upgrades
The integration of Vistara into Air India and the merger of Air India Express with AIX Connect were completed in 2024, significantly bolstering the airline’s capacity. These efforts have expanded the Air India Group’s fleet to 300 aircraft, enabling the airline to operate flights to over 100 domestic and international destinations.
Wilson revealed that Air India’s expansion plans are supported by recent aircraft acquisitions. “Air India’s global coverage will further increase in the years ahead, not least because of the recent addition of 100 aircraft to our order book, augmenting the earlier commitment for 470 made in 2023,” he stated.
The airline is also focusing on modernizing its single-aisle fleet, which serves domestic and short-haul international routes. The interior refurbishment of these aircraft is underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2025, further enhancing passenger experience.
Infrastructure and Training Development
To support its growing fleet, Air India is investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and training facilities. Plans include a new 12-bay maintenance facility and a maintenance training school in Bengaluru, Karnataka, as well as a 34-aircraft flight school in Amravati, Maharashtra. Additionally, a training academy in Gurugram, Haryana, will help develop skilled personnel for the airline’s operations.
Positioning India as an Aviation Hub
India remains one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, and efforts are underway to position the country as a global aviation hub. Indian carriers, including Air India, are focused on providing direct international flights to bolster connectivity and compete on the global stage.
Commitment to Excellence
Acknowledging the work ahead, Wilson affirmed Air India’s commitment to elevating its services and achieving world-class standards. “Air India has covered a lot of ground in the period since privatization; we acknowledge there’s much more to be done,” he said.
Wilson expressed confidence in the airline’s workforce, stating, “All 30,000 Air Indians are fully committed to improving the quality and consistency of our services, in all areas, so that Air India becomes the world-class airline we all want it to be.”
With a robust transformation plan, strategic mergers, fleet expansion, and a focus on infrastructure development, Air India is on track to becoming a prominent global airline while contributing to India’s aspirations of being a key player in the international aviation industry.