Air India CEO Outlines Commitment to Transformation and Expansion in New Year Address

In his New Year's message, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson reaffirmed the airline's dedication to transforming its services and becoming a world-class carrier. He noted that Air India's global presence would grow significantly, especially with the recent addition of 100 new aircraft to its orderbook, complementing the previous commitment for 470 aircraft made earlier in 2023.

To support this expansion, Wilson revealed plans for a new 12-bay maintenance facility and a maintenance training school in Bengaluru, along with a 34-aircraft flight school in Amravati and a training academy in Gurugram. These developments highlight Air India's commitment not only to its own growth but also to enhancing India's broader aviation ecosystem.

Wilson explained that Air India's transformation encompasses all facets of the business, including updates to systems, processes, and infrastructure. He mentioned that more than 100 new aircraft have already been introduced, featuring India's inaugural Airbus A350, which now operates flights from Delhi to major destinations like London and New York.

He noted significant upgrades to one-third of the airline's twin-aisle fleet, which now boasts modernized interiors and entertainment options, with plans for further upgrades over the next two years. The refitting of the single-aisle fleet for domestic and regional routes is on track for completion by mid-2025.

The consolidation of the four Tata-owned airlines into a unified full-service entity, Air India, alongside its low-cost counterpart Air India Express, was finalized in late 2024. The former Vistara aircraft are now utilized for domestic routes between major cities and key international destinations such as Frankfurt and Singapore, ensuring a consistently high-quality travel experience.

As a result of these mergers and the introduction of new aircraft, Air India's fleet has grown to 300, enabling service to over 100 destinations globally. Wilson also announced the opening of a new premium lounge at Bengaluru, with plans for additional lounges in Delhi and other major cities in the near future.

Acknowledging the progress made since the airline's privatization, Wilson expressed an understanding that there is still much work ahead. He emphasized that the entire workforce of 30,000 Air India employees is committed to the improvement of service quality and consistency, striving to fulfill the goal of establishing Air India as a leading global airline.