Air India is actively pursuing a comprehensive strategy to significantly expand India’s global flight network and elevate its service standards, aligning with the nation’s burgeoning aspirations on the international stage.
Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Air India, articulated this ambitious vision, underscoring the airline’s pivotal role in fostering economic growth and strengthening India’s position as a global aviation hub. Speaking from Air India’s Gurugram headquarters, Wilson emphasised the profound value of aviation in connecting people and economies. He highlighted India’s strategic interest in indigenising a substantial portion of its aviation ecosystem. “Every flight that Air India operates from India employs Indian crew, Indian engineers, Indian pilots, Indian ground handling staff, supports Indian tourism, makes connectivity for Indian business and attracts overseas supplies to support and and manufacture in India,” he stated, illustrating the multifaceted economic benefits accrued from a robust, domestically controlled airline operation.
This localisation strategy not only boosts employment but also contributes to the nation’s broader economic self-reliance and the development of sustainable, gender-neutral career pathways within the aviation sector. The airline’s commitment extends beyond mere flight operations to the foundational development of the broader aviation ecosystem. Air India is investing heavily in skill development, exemplified by a massive aviation training academy in Gurugram that daily equips nearly 2,000 aviation professionals with essential expertise. Furthering this commitment to talent pipeline development, the airline is establishing South Asia’s largest flying school, equipped with 34 training aircraft, and a new aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru. These initiatives are designed to feed a burgeoning demand for skilled personnel, including for a new 12-bay MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility under construction by Air India, thereby creating substantial employment opportunities and fostering technical excellence within India.
Wilson underscored the colossal opportunity present in Indian aviation, which already ranks as the third-largest domestic market and the fastest-growing international aviation market globally. With an anticipated compound growth rate of 8-10 per cent for the next 10-15 years, India’s aviation sector is poised for exponential expansion. He drew a compelling comparison, noting that despite the strong propensity for air travel among Indians, the current overall passenger numbers are merely one-fifth of China’s, signalling immense untapped potential. This growth trajectory is further bolstered by India’s vast diaspora, its increasing integration into the global supply chain, and the overseas expansion of Indian businesses, all contributing to an “immense opportunity” for Air India to leverage.
To capitalise on this burgeoning market, Air India has strategically ordered 570 new aircraft, including 80 wide-body jets, a move set to transform its fleet capabilities. The airline is actively collaborating with major airport operators in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to enhance their infrastructure for both operations and customer service, ensuring seamless ground experiences. Furthermore, Air India is meticulously optimising its flight schedules to facilitate greater international-to-international connectivity via India, aiming to position the country as a crucial transit hub for routes between Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has quadrupled its international-to-international connectivity, a feat achieved through optimising flight timings. While its international network has grown by 25 per cent in the last three years, Wilson acknowledged that it remains significantly below the non-stop reach of even much smaller countries. Future expansion will be directly tied to new aircraft deliveries, anticipated from 2027, which will power the next phase of Air India’s ambitious global growth strategy.
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