Tata Sons-owned Air India (AI) will induct one new aircraft every six days until the end of 2024 to expand its reach and spruce up its market share – a market dominated by IndiGo currently.
“We will take delivery of one new aircraft every six days between now and the end of 2024,” Campbell Wilson, MD and CEO, Air India.
The announcement came just ahead of the unveiling of the new identity of Air India Express, the low-cost carrier, on a new Boeing 737 –8 aircraft. AI had a similar unveiling ceremony in August of a new identity.
Air India Express aims to double its market share in the domestic market to around 15% from the current 7-8%, which is primarily comprising AirAsia India since Air India Express is mostly into international flights.
The market share target is within the 30% share in the domestic market announced by AI under the Vihaan scheme. A few months ago, AirAsia India was merged into Air India Express, and its fleet is getting integrated into the combined entity.
Air India Express is gearing up to challenge market leader IndiGo, which has a share of 63%. The AI group has a share of 26% while the balance is split between SpiceJet and Akasa Air, according to the DGCA data.
The merged entity of Air India Express will have a fleet of 74 by March 2024, including 28 Airbus A320 from AirAsia India. Two new Boeing 737-8 have already joined the fleet. It currently has a fleet of 58 aircraft.
Around 50 aircraft are set to be inducted into the fleet over the next 15 months. Over the course of the next 5 years, the brand aims to grow to a fleet of about 170 narrow-body aircraft, with a network spanning the domestic India and short-haul international markets.
Air India Express’s new visual identity, which was unveiled today, features ‘Express Orange and Express Turquoise with Express Tangerine and Express Ice Blue’ as secondary colours.
“The dominant Express Orange symbolises Air India Express’s brand values of enthusiasm and agility while reflecting the positioning of quintessential Indian warmth. The Express Turquoise embodies the brand personality traits of style with a contemporary premium sensibility and a digital-first approach,” the company said in a statement.
Wilson emphasised that with the merger of Air India Express and Air Asia India now in the final stages, they are also seeing the transformation of the aviation landscape.
The livery of the first new Boeing 737-8 aircraft showcased at the launch, draws inspiration from the Bandhani textile design. The upcoming aircraft being inducted will feature designs inspired by other traditional patterns including Ajrakh, Patola, Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari, etc., showcasing India’s artistic diversity.