world stage, this truly is India’s aviation decade. With international journeys poised to triple by 2030, strong domestic demand and new airports coming up, India is becoming a travel powerhouse. Air India is preparing to meet this demand head-on. Our 470-aircraft order is now leading to the arrival of one new aircraft every six days throughout 2024, unlocking opportunities.By March 2024, nearly one-third of Air India’s widebody fleet will feature world-class cabin products, including Airbus A350s that represent the best of global aviation.
Then, from mid-2024, the remainder of our widebody fleet will start undergoing complete refurbishment to bring all aircraft up to the same world-class level by the end of 2025.
Travellers’ growing affluence is driving preference for non-stop flights and higher demand for additional comforts, featured in our new and refurbished aircraft. Plans include a makeover of Air India’s new website and app and the industry’s first generative AI chatbot, extending into new operational systems that will strengthen our foundations.
Likewise, world-leading experts have been engaged to revamp airport lounges and our loyalty programme, while a new 24/7 customer centre will offer support in nine Indian and foreign languages.
More than 9,000 new Air Indians have joined their experienced colleagues who, together, are determined to build an airline group second to none, be it full-service Air India or the value-based connector Air India Express that will double in size during 2024. And then there are our colleagues at Vistara who, regulatory approvals permitting, will join the larger Air India mission during the year.
It’s been two years since privatisation, and there is much we have yet to do, but change is already
afoot. For this isn’t just an airline, it’s a fulfiller of aspirations, an ambassador for the nation, and a
warm welcome home for Indians everywhere. 2024 promises to be an exciting year as Air India continues
on this mission to soar, once again.
(The author is the CEO & MD of Air India)
