Mumbai: Air India Express would add 20-24 aircraft to its fleet in CY26, its chief executive said on Tuesday. The Tata-owned low-cost carrier would also retrofit 50 of its Boeing 737-8 aircraft, as competition in the budget end of the aviation industry intensifies.
"By calendar year 2026, we expect to have added between 20 and 24 aircraft to our fleet," Aloke Singh, Air India Express managing director said.
According to sources, over the past six months alone, Air India Express has inducted 15 aircraft, taking its fleet size to 115. The carrier has added Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737 and 737 Max planes to its fleet. The carrier would also retrofit, by mid-2026, its 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The retrofitting involves installing ergonomically designed synthetic leather seats with thicker armrests and improved legroom, in-seat USB-C charging ports, ovens for hot meals, new carpets, and advanced Boeing Sky Interior mood lighting.
"The first aircraft with the new line-fit configuration will be delivered in December," Aloke Singh said.
The line-fit exercise would involve equipping the aircraft with Collins Aerospace seats that would be fitted during the aircraft's production, meaning these would come standard from the factory instead of being retrofitted with the other amenities cited above.
When asked about the market share, Singh said, on a group level Air India is at about 30% of the market share. "Air India Express today is at about 11-12% domestic share." Air India Express began a network optimisation exercise in September 2025 to enhance connectivity, strengthen hubs, and increase frequency on key routes. Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru accounted for 62% of domestic departures in April 2025, a share expected to rise to about 74% by November 2025.
From Bengaluru, the airline has added Bangkok, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh to its short-haul international network for the Winter 2025 schedule.
By the end of the season, most of the realignment will be complete. Overall, Air India Express will operate over 2,700 weekly domestic flights on 114 routes and about 780 international flights on 70 routes-an increase of more than 25% over Winter 2024, with 48 new domestic and 10 new international routes.
"About two years ago, Air India Express' network was split roughly 60% short-haul international and 40% domestic. Today, that mix is closer to 50-50. While the airline has continued to grow its short-haul international operations, its domestic network has been expanding at a faster pace. Over the next couple of years, Air India Express expects to continue on this growth trajectory," Singh said.
BRAND CAMPAIGN
The airline has rolled out a brand campaign-'Xplore More, Xpress More'-showcasing its offerings. "Two years ago, we launched our new brand identity as India's most vibrant and inclusive airline," said chief marketing officer Siddhartha Butalia. "With a growing network and a modern fleet, we're now positioned to offer a distinct flying experience that is ... true to our promise of helping travellers explore more and express more."
"By calendar year 2026, we expect to have added between 20 and 24 aircraft to our fleet," Aloke Singh, Air India Express managing director said.
According to sources, over the past six months alone, Air India Express has inducted 15 aircraft, taking its fleet size to 115. The carrier has added Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737 and 737 Max planes to its fleet. The carrier would also retrofit, by mid-2026, its 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The retrofitting involves installing ergonomically designed synthetic leather seats with thicker armrests and improved legroom, in-seat USB-C charging ports, ovens for hot meals, new carpets, and advanced Boeing Sky Interior mood lighting.
"The first aircraft with the new line-fit configuration will be delivered in December," Aloke Singh said.
The line-fit exercise would involve equipping the aircraft with Collins Aerospace seats that would be fitted during the aircraft's production, meaning these would come standard from the factory instead of being retrofitted with the other amenities cited above.
When asked about the market share, Singh said, on a group level Air India is at about 30% of the market share. "Air India Express today is at about 11-12% domestic share." Air India Express began a network optimisation exercise in September 2025 to enhance connectivity, strengthen hubs, and increase frequency on key routes. Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru accounted for 62% of domestic departures in April 2025, a share expected to rise to about 74% by November 2025.
From Bengaluru, the airline has added Bangkok, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh to its short-haul international network for the Winter 2025 schedule.
By the end of the season, most of the realignment will be complete. Overall, Air India Express will operate over 2,700 weekly domestic flights on 114 routes and about 780 international flights on 70 routes-an increase of more than 25% over Winter 2024, with 48 new domestic and 10 new international routes.
"About two years ago, Air India Express' network was split roughly 60% short-haul international and 40% domestic. Today, that mix is closer to 50-50. While the airline has continued to grow its short-haul international operations, its domestic network has been expanding at a faster pace. Over the next couple of years, Air India Express expects to continue on this growth trajectory," Singh said.
BRAND CAMPAIGN
The airline has rolled out a brand campaign-'Xplore More, Xpress More'-showcasing its offerings. "Two years ago, we launched our new brand identity as India's most vibrant and inclusive airline," said chief marketing officer Siddhartha Butalia. "With a growing network and a modern fleet, we're now positioned to offer a distinct flying experience that is ... true to our promise of helping travellers explore more and express more."
