2 weeks ago
Air India to retrofit 16 Boeing 787-8s, add 100 aircraft by 2028
Air India is a big airplane company that is making its planes newer and better.
The boss, Campbell Wilson, told his workers about big plans for the future.
The company is fixing up its older big planes to make them nicer for passengers.
It has already finished three of these planes this year and four more are coming soon.
Air India is also buying brand new planes, with more than 100 expected in the next few years.
The company has already gotten three new planes this year and two more are planned before the year ends.
Flying has become harder lately because fuel costs more and some countries closed their airspace, making some flights take longer.
Even with these challenges, Air India keeps investing in comfortable seats, good food, and fun entertainment.
The company also promises that workers will get their yearly pay raise in October 2026.
Air India believes these changes will make customers happier and keep the company strong for a long time.
Air India plans to retrofit 16 additional Boeing 787-8 aircraft in 2027 as part of its fleet transformation programme.
More than 100 new aircraft will be inducted across Air India Group (Air India and Air India Express) in 2027 and 2028, CEO Campbell Wilson said.
Three retrofitted Boeing 787-8 aircraft have been inducted this year, with four more expected to enter service before the end of the year.
The airline added three Boeing 787-9 aircraft in 2026, while two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft are expected later this year.
Globally, airlines face headwinds including higher jet fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, and Pakistani airspace closure adding up to three hours on some routes.
- Who
- Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Air India Group employees
- What
- Announcement of plans to retrofit 16 Boeing 787-8 aircraft in 2027 and induct more than 100 new aircraft in 2027-2028
- Where
- Air India, a Tata Group-promoted airline operating from India
- When
- Townhall on Thursday, August 13, 2026 (reported August 14, 2026)
- Why
- To advance the airline's fleet transformation and long-term investment programme despite higher fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, and airspace disruptions
Key facts
- Retrofits planned for 2027
- 16 additional Boeing 787-8 aircraft
- New aircraft plan
- More than 100 aircraft across Air India Group in 2027 and 2028
- B787-8 retrofits in 2026
- 3 inducted, 4 more expected before end of year
- New aircraft added in 2026
- 3 Boeing 787-9 aircraft
- Aircraft expected later this year
- 2 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft
- Legacy fleet retrofit budget
- $400 million
- Widebody technical dispatch reliability
- 97.4 per cent
- Salary increments effective date
- October 1, 2026









