Air India to retrofit over 100 planes: CEO
Air India will be retrofitting more than 100 planes, including 40 wide body planes, and has ordered around 25,000 aircraft seats as part of revamping the fleet, its chief Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Air India will be retrofitting more than 100 planes, including 40 wide body planes, and has ordered around 25,000 aircraft seats as part of revamping the fleet, its chief Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday.
Emphasising that "plenty of things" are going on as part of the transformation at Air India, Wilson said the focus is on integration, growth, optimisation and customer experience. As part of Tata Group consolidating its aviation business, AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India, is getting merged with Air India Express and Vistara with Air India. There is "immense flexibility" for the group whether it is full or low cost services and "we are in a good position," the Air India CEO and MD said at the CAPA India Aviation Summit here. According to him, Air India will be retrofitting more than 100 aircraft and has also ordered around 25,000 seats as part of retrofitting the planes. About costs for the airline industry, Wilson said airfares have been underperforming overall inflation. Air India has embarked on a five-year transformation plan, with Wilson saying there are "plenty of things" going on. The new Air India is not old Air India and "people (airlines) now want to dance with us," Wilson said while talking about changes and possible partnerships. On bilateral rights, the Air India chief said there should be a pragmatic approach.
AI Express keen on cost control
As it looks to tap the growth opportunities and group synergies, Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh on Wednesday said the airline will focus on the cost side and transformation plans in 2024-25.
Air India Express is in the process of merging AIX Connect, formerly AirAsia India. "In 2024-25, a lot of synergies will be unlocked... there will be a laser focus on the cost side," Singh said. The two airlines are part of the Tata Group, which is also in the process of merging Vistara with Air India. There will be cross feeds between Air India long haul flights and domestic short haul flights, he said and added that there is substantial growth coming in. With the network and the new fleet coming in, there will be a significant upside on the revenue and cost side, Singh said. Speaking at the CAPA India Aviation Summit 2024 in the national capital, Singh also said that for the next five years, he does not see any issue of bilateral flying rights impacting its growth.
