Air India Plans Fleet Expansion Despite Delivery Delays
Air India, owned by Tata Sons, aims to expand its fleet capacity by 33% to reach 400 aircraft by 2027, according to CEO Campbell Wilson. However, the airline expects slower aircraft deliveries in 2025 due to challenges including a seven-week strike at Boeing's U.S. manufacturing facilities and broader supply chain disruptions.
Wilson stated that delays in the delivery of Boeing 737 MAX narrow-body aircraft, initially scheduled for this year, will push the arrival of some planes into mid-2025. Of the 50 white tail Boeing 737 MAX aircraft slated for Air India's fleet, 35 have already been inducted and are operating under Air India Express.
"Delays are extending by over six months for narrow-body aircraft due to production impacts from the Boeing strike and supply chain issues," Wilson noted during a media roundtable at the airline's Gurugram headquarters.
In addition to fleet expansion, Air India recently completed its merger with Vistara on November 12. This integration created a single airline, partly owned by Singapore Airlines, capable of carrying 120,000 passengers daily across more than 90 destinations. This merger followed the earlier consolidation of Air India Express and AIX Connect in October.
The plans and challenges reflect Air India's broader efforts to grow its operations while navigating industry-wide supply chain hurdles.