Two years after its privatisation, Air India is making good progress on the initiatives launched by its new owner, Tata Group, to overhaul the airline and set it up for dramatic expansion.
Air India attracted significant attention in 2023 when it placed orders for 470 aircraft. Although this move highlighted its long-term aspirations, there has also been a lot of work under way on shorter term projects – such as merging with other Tata airlines, upgrading the existing fleet, and building new training and maintenance facilities.
There is undoubtedly huge growth potential in the Indian market. However, Air India has to improve in many areas to take advantage of this, CEO Campbell Wilson said during the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific held in Brisbane on 12-Sep-2024.
Tata “bought an airline [in 2022] that had been under government ownership for 70 years and had not had the investment it needed,” Mr Wilson said. “The last two years has been about stabilising [the airline], because it was in terminal decline.”
Air India’s efforts have been aimed at halting this decline, and putting the right foundations in place to support its growth strategy.
Improving the cabin product has been a priority – via new deliveries, leases and retrofit programmes. And the mergers that are poised for completion will streamline the group’s airline operations, allowing for more efficient expansion.
