Air India Express, which is poised to finalise its merger with AIX Connect next month, plans to phase out business class seats on its aircraft by 2025, according to a senior airline official. Currently, the carrier, part of the Tata Group, operates a fleet of 85 aircraft, including 25 A320s and 60 Boeing 737s. By the end of the year, the fleet is expected to expand to approximately 100 planes.
The airline has 34 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, 29 of which currently feature business class seating. This number is expected to increase to 50 by year-end. Typically, “white tail” planes are those originally manufactured for one airline but later acquired by another.
The official stated that the business class seats will be removed from these aircraft as part of their reconfiguration next year, as business class is not aligned with the Air India Express model.
AI Express operates 380 daily flights
Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, operates over 380 daily flights connecting 32 domestic and 14 international destinations. The current Air India Express fleet comprises 20 A320s, 5 A320 Neos, 26 B737-NGs, and 34 B737-8s. The airline currently offers both economy and business class seating.
The global aviation industry continues to face supply chain challenges, leading to delays in aircraft deliveries and a shortage of planes amid increasing demand for air travel following the coronavirus pandemic.
Massive order of 470 new aircraft
In February 2023, Tata Group-owned Air India placed an order for 470 new aircraft, including 250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing, with 400 of these being narrow-body planes.
Tata Group’s airline portfolio includes Air India, Vistara, Air India Express, and AIX Connect, formerly known as AirAsia India. The merger of AIX Connect with Air India Express is set to be completed on October 1, while the merger of Vistara with Air India will finalise on November 12.