Air India Expands Fleet with 30 Additional Boeing 737 Aircraft at Wings India 2026
In a significant move to accelerate its fleet renewal and regional growth, Indian carrier Air India has signed an order for 30 additional Boeing single-aisle aircraft. The order, announced at the prestigious Wings India 2026 event on Thursday, includes 20 Boeing 737-8 jets and 10 Boeing 737-10 jets, all powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.
Building on Previous Orders for a World-Class Global Carrier
This latest order adds to the massive 220 Boeing aircraft that Air India ordered in 2023, taking the airline's total Boeing orders to an impressive 250 aircraft. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu. Wilson emphasized that this additional order is a crucial part of Air India's broader fleet strategy, aimed at positioning the airline as a world-class global carrier.
With this deal, Air India now has 198 new Boeing aircraft on the way, as it has already taken delivery of 52 aircraft from its 2023 order. This includes 51 Boeing 737-8 jets that are currently operating with its value carrier subsidiary, Air India Express. Additionally, the airline has received one new Boeing 787-9, which is scheduled to enter commercial service on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route starting from 1 February 2026.
Post-Privatization Growth and Strategic Expansion
Air India highlighted that since its privatization in January 2022, the airline has added nearly 170 aircraft through various means, including deliveries, leases, the merger with Vistara, and reactivations of existing aircraft. This aggressive expansion underscores the airline's commitment to modernizing its fleet and enhancing its operational capabilities.
The order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft not only strengthens Air India's domestic and regional network but also aligns with its vision to compete effectively in the global aviation market. By investing in fuel-efficient and advanced aircraft like the Boeing 737-8 and 737-10, Air India aims to improve passenger experience, reduce environmental impact, and boost profitability.
This strategic move at Wings India 2026 reflects Air India's ongoing transformation under private ownership, focusing on fleet renewal, network expansion, and service excellence to meet the growing demands of air travel in India and beyond.
