According to a senior official, this transition is in line with the carrier’s strategy to focus on efficient operations of narrow-body aircraft, specifically aimed at catering to budget-conscious travelers.
Air India Express, now a fully integrated arm of Tata Group’s aviation business, is set to reconfigure its aircraft fleet starting April 2025, removing business class seats to operate as an economy-only airline. According to a senior official, this transition is in line with the carrier’s strategy to focus on efficient operations of narrow-body aircraft, specifically aimed at catering to budget-conscious travelers.
The airline, which merged with AIX Connect (previously AirAsia India) on October 1, currently operates a network-optimized fleet of 90 aircraft, of which more than 30 planes are dual-class. In response to ongoing supply chain disruptions affecting new aircraft deliveries, Air India Express has taken on 35 white-tail Boeing 737-8 planes and plans to increase this number to 50 in the near future. White-tail aircraft are those originally manufactured for a different airline and later acquired by another.
The fleet reconfiguration will align with Tata Group’s larger consolidation strategy, which includes the upcoming merger of Vistara with Air India on November 12. Presently, Air India Express operates Boeing 737 NGs, Boeing 737-8s, and Airbus A320 family aircraft. By the end of the current fiscal year, the airline’s fleet is projected to exceed 110 planes.
With this growing fleet, Air India Express plans to strengthen connections between Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and major metro hubs, while also expanding to new international destinations. Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, highlighted that the airline’s network strategy will support the broader Tata aviation strategy. Tier 2 and 3 cities are the growth engines, representing the largest market segment from metro to non-metro routes, Singh said.
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Singh further detailed the carrier’s international plans, emphasizing connections to regions like the Gulf, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with the potential expansion to South Asia and the Far East within a few years. This renewed focus comes as Tata Group’s Air India has placed a massive order for 470 new aircraft, including 400 narrow-body planes, to support its expansive vision for India’s aviation future.
