Air India is steadfast in its mission to become a world-class airline, said CEO Campbell Wilson, highlighting the progress made since privatisation and outlining ambitious plans for the future. In his New Year’s message, Wilson reaffirmed Air India’s commitment to enhancing service quality and operational consistency across all areas of its business.
“Air India’s global coverage will further increase in the years ahead, not least because of the recent addition of 100 aircraft to its order book, augmenting the earlier commitment for 470 made in 2023,” Wilson stated.
These additions, supported by new maintenance and training facilities in Bengaluru, Amravati, and Gurugram, underline the airline’s focus on strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem, he said.
2024 – A crucial year for Air India
Since privatisation in 2022, Air India has made significant strides in its five-year transformation plan. The merger of Vistara, Air India Express, and AIX Connect with Air India was completed in 2024, creating a unified full-service and low-cost carrier framework.
These integrations, combined with new aircraft deliveries, have expanded Air India’s fleet to 300 aircraft, allowing it to serve over 100 domestic and international destinations.
Air India’s recent operational upgrades
Wilson highlighted the airline’s recent operational upgrades, including the deployment of India’s first Airbus A350 on routes from Delhi to London and New York.
“More than one-third of our twin-aisle fleet now features modernised interiors and entertainment systems, with the remainder undergoing similar upgrades over the next two years,” he said.
The refit of the single-aisle fleet, catering to domestic and short-haul international destinations, is also underway and is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
Introduction of premium lounges
New premium lounges have been introduced, with one already operational in Bengaluru and another set to open in Delhi in 2025, enhancing the travel experience for premium-class passengers.
“Air India’s transformation covers every aspect of our business, involving significant upgrades to systems, processes, infrastructure, equipment, and people. While the journey still has a way to go, some significant milestones have been achieved,” Wilson noted.
As one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, India is poised to become a global aviation hub, with Indian carriers increasingly offering direct flights to international destinations.
“We acknowledge there’s much more to be done. All 30,000 Air Indians are fully committed to improving the quality and consistency of our services, so that Air India becomes the world-class airline we all want it to be,” Wilson concluded.