Business & Finance
Air India Plans Widebody Expansion and Cost Cuts Under New CEO
Air India is looking to expand its wide‑body fleet while cutting costs and moving toward profitability as soon as possible, CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said in his first public appearance since taking charge last month. Speaking at the Aviation India Summit 2026, Gebremariam said the airline wants to increase its wide‑body order, noting that the network and strategy demand more wide‑bodies. He did not disclose how many additional aircraft the airline is seeking. Air India already has 80 wide‑bodies on order: 50 A350s, 20 787s and 10 777Xs, part of two orders for a total of 570 aircraft placed in 2023 and 2024, shortly after the airline’s privatisation. The wide‑body growth is intended to regain market share from competitors, including Gulf carriers. Gebremariam also suggested that more growth could come from the full‑service carrier’s wide‑body long‑haul operations rather than the budget arm Air India Express. In addition to long‑term growth plans, the airline is focused on cutting costs and achieving profitability in the near term, saying, “Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency.” He added that he was “impatient to see profitability as soon as possible.”
Frequently asked questions
How many wide‑body aircraft does Air India have on order?
Air India has 80 wide‑body aircraft on order: 50 A350s, 20 787s, and 10 777Xs.
What types of wide‑body aircraft are included in Air India's orders?
The orders include 50 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s, and 10 Boeing 777X wide‑body aircraft.
How many total aircraft orders did Air India place in 2023 and 2024?
Air India placed orders for a total of 570 aircraft in 2023 and 2024.