Air India’s low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, plans to induct 20 to 24 new aircraft into its fleet in the next calendar year, according to Managing Director Aloke Singh. Currently, Air India operates a fleet of 110 aircraft, including Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737, and 737 Max models. Singh mentioned that the delivery timeline will depend on supply chain conditions and Boeing’s production schedule.
Air India Express Strengthens Domestic Focus with Metro–Tier 2 and Tier 3 Expansion
The airline aims to strengthen its presence in the domestic market, which is witnessing faster growth compared to the international segment. Singh highlighted that two years ago, nearly 60% of the airline’s operations were on short-haul international routes, while 40% were domestic. The balance has now shifted to an even 50-50 distribution, indicating a stronger domestic focus. He further noted that the domestic market will continue to grow faster than short-haul international operations over the coming years.
Singh emphasized that Air India Express’s domestic strategy is based on “depth before spread,” meaning the airline intends to consolidate its presence on key city-pairs rather than expanding too broadly. The goal is to secure a meaningful share of the market—ideally about one-third—on important routes. The airline’s main focus remains on connecting metro cities to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which form the largest and fastest-growing segment of India’s aviation market.
Air India Express Targets High-Growth Metro-to-Non-Metro and Regional Markets
Currently, about 80% of Air India Express’s domestic capacity is deployed on routes linking metros to non-metros. This approach aligns with the company’s broader plan to cater to value-conscious travellers, small and medium enterprises, and leisure passengers. While Air India continues to focus on metro-to-metro and long-haul international routes, Air India Express will primarily target metro-to-non-metro routes and short-haul regional international markets, aiming to capture the high-growth, high-demand segments of India’s aviation sector.
Summary:
Air India Express plans to add 20–24 new aircraft next year as it expands its domestic operations. The airline is focusing on metro-to-non-metro routes and short-haul regional markets, targeting value-conscious, SME, and leisure travellers while consolidating key routes for deeper market presence and sustained growth in India’s aviation sector.
