HYDERABAD- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) is set to confirm an order for 30 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at the Hyderabad Airshow. The move strengthens the airline’s narrowbody fleet as demand rises across India’s domestic and regional markets.
The order will firm up options placed in 2023 and build on Air India’s historic aircraft commitments with Boeing and Airbus. The announcement is expected during the Hyderabad airshow, reinforcing India’s position as a key global aviation growth market, Bloomberg reported exclusively.
Air India to Order 737 MAX
The additional 30 aircraft are part of Air India’s broader 470-aircraft commitment announced in 2023. Of this total, 220 aircraft were ordered from Boeing, including 190 Boeing 737 MAX jets. These aircraft primarily support short-haul and high-frequency routes.
Most of the 737 MAX fleet is assigned to Air India Express, the group’s low-cost subsidiary serving domestic and nearby international destinations. The latest confirmation marks Air India’s second major option conversion, following the finalization of 100 Airbus aircraft orders in 2024.
Boeing 737 MAX variant details were not disclosed. Delivery timelines have also not been announced, and the aircraft will be delivered subject to Boeing’s production schedules and existing backlog.
Tata Group’s Fleet Renewal and Market Position
Since acquiring Air India in 2022, the Tata Group has focused on fleet renewal, cabin refurbishment, and network expansion. Air India currently operates 191 aircraft, positioning it as India’s second-largest domestic carrier after IndiGo.
The strategy combines new aircraft induction with upgrades to legacy widebody and narrowbody jets. The goal is to improve operational efficiency and reliability while expanding capacity in high-growth markets.
Air India and Boeing did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
India’s Aircraft Demand Outlook
Boeing estimates that India and South Asia will require 3,290 new aircraft by 2044. India’s commercial fleet has expanded from roughly 100 aircraft in 2000 to nearly 900 today.
Indian airlines have more than 1,500 aircraft on order, representing the largest order backlog globally. India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, behind the United States and China.
The Indian government continues to invest in airport infrastructure, with plans to significantly increase the number of operational airfields over the next two decades.
Industry Risks and Recent Challenges
The expansion comes despite a difficult period for Indian aviation in 2025, marked by the country’s worst aviation accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A final investigation report into the crash is still awaited.
Operational disruptions at IndiGo have also affected the broader market. Even so, long-term demand trends continue to support aggressive fleet expansion by carriers such as Air India.
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