Air India Express has expanded its fleet to 100 aircraft with the addition of a Boeing 737-8, which operated its inaugural flight on the Bengaluru-Hindon route, the airline announced on Monday.
Fleet expansion and network growth
Since its takeover by the Tata Group in January 2022, the airline has nearly doubled its fleet, growing from 26 Boeing 737 NGs and 28 A320s to its current strength of 100 aircraft. The latest addition features ‘Chittara’ tail art, inspired by Karnataka’s traditional mural painting.
With this expansion, Air India Express is set to operate over 500 daily flights by the end of this month, covering 54 destinations across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Tapping into emerging markets
Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh emphasized the airline’s strategic focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities, which he called the “emerging hotspots of the economy”.
“In just over three years since privatisation, we have merged the low-cost carrier (LCC) airlines, expanded our modern and fuel-efficient fleet, and deepened our presence in key international markets,” Singh stated at the aircraft’s flag-off ceremony at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
The airline recently completed its integration with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), strengthening its position in India’s fast-growing aviation sector.