summary
- Air India’s revitalization continues with the introduction of the new Airbus A350-900.
- The combination of new narrow-body and wide-body aircraft will strengthen the airline’s domestic and international network.
- Air India aims to compete with Middle Eastern airlines and establish itself as the world’s leading airline under private ownership.
Air India’s rejuvenation is set to continue until 2024, with the airline recently introducing the new Airbus A350-900. This is the first of many new aircraft for Indian airlines, with more than 470 aircraft on order between Airbus and Boeing.
The combination of new narrow-body and wide-body aircraft strengthens the airline’s domestic and international network and extends the airline’s robust performance since the merger of Air India, Air India Express, AirAsia India and full-service airline Vistara. We hope to further strengthen our expansion plans.
Air India’s parent organization, the Tata Group, is seeking to position Air India as one of the world’s leading airlines, but it is also trying to position Air India as one of the world’s leading airlines, but it is also competing with Middle Eastern carriers Emirates and Etihad, which already have extensive networks in India. Airlines are facing increasing competition from Qatar Airways.
Forget the past and look to the future
The transition from government-led to private airline will require some adjustment for many, but Campbell Wilson, the airline’s chief executive and managing director, is up for the challenge.
Wilson is originally from New Zealand and spent much of his aviation career with Singapore Airlines. The executive will join Air India in June 2022 and has repeatedly stressed that the airline is long overdue for a shake-up. forbes:
“Air India is probably significantly underweight and underweight relative to its market size and geographic size, and as a result, the airline is able to support itself by transporting Indian travelers via other points. Due to Air India’s product, past reputation and sparse fleet, the network was very sparse. We also tended to carry leisure travelers visiting friends and relatives. That was in many ways what the government-owned airline was for back then: it was a vehicle to unite the people of India, whereas now capital and ambition exists under private ownership. ”
Air India’s rebranding is one of the first steps towards a new look and reputation for Air India. Wilson reiterated that every corner of the airline is poised for change, from the in-flight experience to the lounges to the new attitude and approach of airline staff.

First look: Air India reveals interior of Airbus A350
The plane landed in Delhi on December 23.
Competition with global carriers
A new and improved in-flight experience is critical to the airline’s future, and Wilson acknowledged that the cabin was long overdue for a refresh. Air India is now looking to regain some of its saturated market share in the premium cabin market as both corporate and luxury leisure remain popular.
Photo: Airbus
Network expansion will continue to be a key focus for the company, as it has already increased its spectrum for North America and capacity for Europe. Additionally, the company recently launched direct flights to Melbourne, Australia.