After a year marked by supply-chain disruptions and production constraints at global manufacturers, domestic airlines expect deliveries of aircraft to pick up sharply in 2026. This would add to capacity and make services more reliable.
Around 130–140 aircraft will be added to hangars locally in 2026, including 10–15 wide-body planes, per industry estimates industry. The rebound follows a softer delivery pipeline in 2025, when manufacturers, particularly Boeing, struggled to clear the backlog amid regulatory scrutiny and labour disruptions.
Breaking the Bottleneck
IndiGo, the country’s largest airline by traffic volume, expects to take delivery of close to 80 aircraft in 2026. “Fleet expansion in 2026 and beyond will help us reach more distant corners of the country and improve service frequency across our domestic and international network,” an IndiGo executive told FE.
Akasa Air is also preparing for steady fleet growth. Addressing employees last week, CEO Vinay Dube said the airline plans to operate 45 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by December 2026, up from 31 currently. The incoming planes will support expansion across both domestic and international routes. “Our focus on safety, people, service and costs is helping us build a balanced airline,” Dube said, outlining the carrier’s strategy.
Air India expects to add around 50 aircraft in 2026, comprising 30–35 Boeing planes and about 15 Airbus aircraft. Air India and Air India Express together operate a fleet of 282 aircraft, with around 110 planes deployed at the low-cost arm. An Air India Express executive said rising Boeing production rates from 2026 should translate into improved delivery schedules for airlines globally.
He added that Air India Express will prioritise the domestic market, where demand growth is expected to outpace international travel. The airline is focusing on strengthening its presence on key city-pairs and expanding connectivity between metros and tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Impact of New Induction
Aviation experts say the induction of more aircraft will help ease the capacity crunch that has weighed on fares and punctuality. “The planned induction of over 130 aircraft in 2026 reflects confidence in India’s long-term aviation growth, supported by sustained 8–10% annual domestic traffic expansion,” Lokesh Sharma, senior aerospace and defence advisor, said. He added that capacity deployment beyond metros, combined with investments in airports, maintenance and skilled crew, could structurally improve regional connectivity.
In contrast, deliveries in 2025 fell short of earlier expectations. Domestic airlines together added an estimated 85–95 aircraft this year, down from nearly 130 aircraft in 2024. IndiGo inducted 64 aircraft between January 1 and December 23, with another three to five expected by year-end. Air India added around 20 aircraft, while Akasa inducted three. Air India is set to receive a few more aircraft in the coming weeks, including its first brand-new Boeing 787-9.
The slowdown was largely driven by issues at Boeing. Following the mid-air door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight in early 2024, US regulators capped 737 MAX production, while a workers’ strike at Boeing’s Seattle facility further disrupted output. These factors delayed deliveries to several airlines, including Akasa Air.
Globally, aircraft deliveries remain below pre-pandemic peaks. After reaching 1,813 aircraft in 2018, deliveries fell to 1,254 in 2025. In 2026, deliveries are forecast to rise to 1,802.