{"id":163350,"date":"2026-11-03T19:13:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T13:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=163350"},"modified":"2026-11-03T18:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T13:18:16","slug":"air-india-seeks-more-new-widebody-jets-to-regain-market-share","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/03\/air-india-seeks-more-new-widebody-jets-to-regain-market-share\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India Seeks More New Widebody Jets to Regain International Market Share"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GURUGRAM-<\/strong> Air India (AI)<\/a> is prioritising the recovery of international passenger traffic to and from India while expanding its international transit business. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Tewolde Gebremariam outlined the strategy at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 summit in New Delhi (DEL) on November 3, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tata Group-led airline is considering additional widebody aircraft orders from Airbus and Boeing while restructuring its international network around Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). Air India Express (IX) will continue targeting the lower-fare market as Air India strengthens its full-service domestic and international operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: JetPhotos Spotter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Targets International Market Share With Fleet Expansion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India wants to regain a larger share of international passenger traffic travelling between India and overseas destinations. The airline sees substantial opportunities to attract Indian travellers who currently depend on foreign carriers for international journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 summit<\/strong>, Gebremariam said reclaiming international market share from competing airlines remained the immediate priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Right now, our immediate focus is to regain market share from the competition on India to the rest of the world,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline is also targeting growth in international-to-international connecting traffic. This strategy would allow passengers travelling between two foreign countries to use Indian airports as connecting hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India believes its expanding network and long-haul fleet could help it capture a larger share of this market. The airline also sees the Indian diaspora as an important customer segment, particularly across Europe<\/a>, North America and other international markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, attracting these passengers will require competitive onboard products, convenient connections, reliable operations and a stronger international network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gebremariam believes Air India must offer products and services that meet global standards to compete more effectively with established international airlines, BusinessLine<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Eurospot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Considers Additional Widebody Aircraft Orders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India is discussing additional aircraft orders with Airbus<\/a> and Boeing<\/a> as it prepares for its next phase of international expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gebremariam indicated that the airline’s existing aircraft order book would not fully support its long-term network ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our network, our strategy demands more,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the CEO did not disclose the number of additional aircraft the airline is considering, the models under evaluation or a possible order announcement timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India already has substantial aircraft commitments with both manufacturers following its major fleet expansion programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February 2023, the airline announced orders for 470 aircraft, including 40 Airbus A350s<\/a>, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777X aircraft<\/a>. In December 2024, it added another 10 Airbus A350s to its widebody commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This takes its total widebody aircraft orders to 80, comprising 50 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777X aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline subsequently expanded its narrowbody commitments in January 2026 with an additional order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The order comprises 20 Boeing 737-8 and 10 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, supporting its domestic and regional operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these substantial commitments, Air India believes it needs additional widebody capacity to support its international ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The expansion would give the airline greater flexibility to develop long-haul routes, increase frequencies and strengthen connections through its Indian hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: avgeekwithlens\/ Harsh Tekriwal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India and Air India Express to Follow Different Growth Strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India and Air India Express<\/a> will continue expanding while maintaining separate market positions within the airline group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gebremariam indicated that a larger share of future growth could come from Air India’s full-service, widebody and long-haul operations, where the airline sees greater opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India will focus on the premium and full-service segments across domestic, short-haul international and long-haul markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Air India Express will continue serving price-sensitive passengers through its lower-cost operating model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strategy allows the group to address different passenger segments without positioning both airlines directly against each other across every market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India is also working to strengthen its international sales operations. The airline plans to expand its overseas sales teams and points of sale to improve the balance between bookings originating in India and those generated in international markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stronger overseas sales presence could help the airline manage foreign currency fluctuations and improve revenue generation across different markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative also supports Air India’s broader international expansion strategy by strengthening its access to overseas customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: avgeekwithlens\/ Harsh Tekriwal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India to Rebalance Delhi and Mumbai International Hubs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India is reviewing its hub strategy as restrictions on Pakistani airspace continue affecting its international operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The restrictions have created greater challenges for flights departing from Delhi<\/a> compared with Mumbai, particularly on routes towards Europe and North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address these operational difficulties, the airline plans to increase the concentration of selected Europe and North America services from Mumbai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Delhi will continue serving these international markets, although Air India expects a different distribution of flights between its two major hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline will also pursue additional growth opportunities towards eastern and south-eastern destinations from Delhi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These markets are less affected by the Pakistani airspace restrictions, allowing Air India to develop its network without facing the same operational limitations experienced on westbound routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The network restructuring is intended to improve aircraft utilisation, strengthen connecting opportunities and generate better financial returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India wants to ensure that its aircraft deployment reflects changing operating conditions while maintaining connectivity across its domestic and international networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By lasta29 – Air India, B787-8 Dreamliner, VT-ANR, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=40687689<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Prioritises Cost Reduction and Operational Efficiency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alongside its international expansion plans, Air India is prioritising improvements in its financial performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gebremariam identified the difference between cost per available seat kilometre (CASK) and revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK) as a major concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline’s cost per available seat kilometre currently exceeds its revenue per available seat kilometre. This means the revenue generated from its available capacity is insufficient to cover the associated operating costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Correcting this imbalance has become an immediate priority for the management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Gebremariam said it was too early to announce a specific numerical cost-reduction target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cross-functional team is reviewing expenditure across different business divisions to identify opportunities for savings and operational improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India and Air India Express are also pursuing greater efficiency through shared corporate functions and closer coordination between their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group is examining opportunities to consolidate selected departments, including human resources, finance, information technology and engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed consolidation aims to reduce duplicated responsibilities, improve resource utilisation and lower administrative expenses while retaining the two airlines as separate brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India’s board has also ratified the consolidation and cost-saving plan, giving the management authority to pursue expenditure reductions and eliminate operational duplication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Faces Mounting Losses Amid Profitability Push<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The airline’s financial restructuring comes amid growing pressure from operating costs, foreign exchange movements and geopolitical disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India Group’s consolidated net loss reportedly exceeded \u20b96,000 crore<\/strong> in the first quarter of FY27, compared with a loss of more than \u20b93,000 crore<\/strong> in the corresponding period a year earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry reports attributed the deterioration to foreign exchange fluctuations, elevated fuel expenses and international airspace restrictions. These factors have increased operating costs and affected the airline’s network efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against this backdrop, Gebremariam expressed confidence that Air India could return to profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked when the airline would become profitable, he responded, “Very soon, I would say,” without providing a specific timeframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also emphasised that the airline’s shareholders remained committed to its long-term transformation despite the financial challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked whether shareholders would support the business over a 15-to-20-year period, Gebremariam indicated that they remained committed to the airline’s long-term ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019m more impatient than the shareholders to see profitability,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India’s next phase will therefore focus on strengthening international market share, expanding its widebody fleet, improving network connectivity and reducing operating expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline’s ability to translate its substantial fleet investments into stronger revenue and sustainable profitability will remain central to its transformation strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air India Adds New 787 Flights to Osaka, Japan<\/a><\/blockquote>