Air India is working on upgrading its older wide-body planes and expects to finish the process by mid-2027. According to CEO Campbell Wilson, this is part of the airline’s efforts to modernize its fleet.
He also stated that the world aviation sector will still be short of aircraft and spares for the next four to five years, which may affect airline operations globally.
Challenges in Aircraft Upgrades
Campbell Wilson said that upgrading the airline’s planes is their top priority. The process to refit older Boeing 777 aircraft was supposed to begin last year, but there were delays due to issues with getting new seats. Now, the airline is moving these planes through a major refurbishment program.
He expects that by mid-2027, all older wide-body planes will be upgraded, although the progress has been slower than planned. The delays are due to supply chain issues and the limited number of planes that can be taken out of service at a time.
Moreover, Air India is repainting and refurbishing Vistara’s fleet, and this will be done within the next one and a half years.
First-Class Cabins
Air India is planning to introduce first-class cabins in some of its new aircraft in the coming years. Currently, some of its older Boeing 777 planes already have first-class seating. However, CEO Campbell Wilson mentioned that first class is less profitable than business class, but the airline still wants to offer it as part of its goal to become a top-tier airline.
Dealing with Airline Supply Shortages
Ever since the Tata Group acquired Air India in 2022, the airline has been on an ambitious transformational journey. It has already placed an order for 570 new aircrafts and is upgrading its existing fleet. There are, however, some of the challenges that the airline faces currently, such as shortages of aircraft engines, seats, and other critical components.
Wilson explained that these supply issues are not just affecting Air India but the entire airline industry worldwide, and they may continue for another 4 to 5 years.
As part of a $400 million upgrade plan, Air India is refurbishing most of its aircraft. The first refurbished A320 Neo is already in service and 27 more will be finished by the end of 2024. In addition, 40 wide-body Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft will be refurbished, with the initial one beginning the process next month.
Wilson also talked about how Air India is handling these supply chain issues. Since aircraft availability is limited, the airline has to strategically deploy its planes to the most profitable routes. Leasing more aircraft is also difficult because every airline is trying to do the same, and using planes with different setups can create operational challenges.
A Bright Future for India’s Aviation Industry
Therefore, by keeping global economic challenges in mind, Wilson remains optimistic about India’s aviation industry. As India’s economy develops, there is greater demand for business-class travelers, which also includes a lot of first-time flyers. He thinks Air India has ample scope to grow, even during supply constraints.
