Archive · 28 Oct 2025
Air India Express to Add 20-24 Aircraft in 2026, Boosts Domestic Focus
Air India Express is planning to get 20 to 24 new planes in 2026 to grow its fleet.
The airline's boss said that getting these planes depends on factories building them on time.
Air India Express is also focusing more on flying within India because that part of the business is growing quickly.
They want to connect big cities to smaller ones more often, which is where most of the growth is happening.
The airline aims to be a good option for people traveling for fun, small businesses, and those looking for good prices.
They are also improving the inside of their new planes with better seats, charging ports, and new meal options.
The airline's planes can be used by both Air India Express and its parent airline, Air India, depending on where they are needed most.
Air India Express plans to induct 20 to 24 new aircraft into its fleet during the 2026 calendar year.
The delivery of these new aircraft is contingent upon supply chain conditions and Boeing's production capabilities.
The airline is shifting its network strategy to prioritize 'depth before spread' within the domestic market.
Approximately 80% of Air India Express's current domestic capacity serves routes connecting metros to tier 2 and 3 cities.
The airline is targeting leisure, SME, and value-conscious travelers, alongside existing metro-to-metro and international routes.
- Who
- Air India Express
- What
- Plans to add 20-24 aircraft to its fleet in 2026 and is increasing its focus on the domestic market.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday; new aircraft deliveries are expected in the 2026 calendar year.
- Where
- India, with an intensified focus on domestic routes connecting metros to tier 2 and 3 cities.
- Why
- To capitalize on the faster growth in the domestic market and cater to leisure, SME, and value-conscious travelers.
Domestic Market Growth Strategy
International Market Presence
Network Strategy
Domestic Market Growth Strategy
Air India Express is prioritizing 'depth before spread' in the domestic market, focusing on increasing its presence on routes connecting metros to tier 2 and 3 cities.
International Market Presence
While domestic growth is faster, the airline maintains and grows its short-haul international network alongside its domestic operations.
Targeted Traveler Segments
Domestic Market Growth Strategy
The airline is targeting leisure travelers, VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives), SMEs, and value-conscious travelers primarily on domestic routes.
International Market Presence
Air India (part of the same group) focuses on metro-to-metro routes and long-haul international routes, which often cater to business traffic.
Capacity Allocation
Domestic Market Growth Strategy
The bulk of narrow-body capacity is expected to operate under the low-cost model by Air India Express, reflecting the value-seeking nature of the Indian market.
International Market Presence
Fleet capacity is fungible between Air India and Air India Express, allowing for shifts based on market evolution and business model appetite. Narrow-body capacity is currently divided almost equally between the two entities for domestic and short-haul international routes.
- CEO
- Aloke Singh
- Total Group Fleet Size
- 282 aircraft (Air India + Air India Express)
- Air India Express Fleet Size
- 110 aircraft
- Aircraft Types (Air India Express)
- Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737, Boeing 737 MAX
- Aircraft to be added (2026)
- 20-24
- Delivery Dependency
- Supply chain and Boeing production progress
- Network Shift (Past 2 years)
- From 60% international/40% domestic to approximately 50-50%
- Domestic Capacity Focus
- Nearly 80% connects metros to tier 2 and 3 cities
- White-tail 737-8 Retrofitting
- All 50 expected to be single-economy-class by mid-next year
- B737 Max Order Delivery
- Entire order of 190 expected by 2030
Sources
Air India Express expects to induct 20-24 aircraft in fleet in next year, says MD Aloke Singh - Telegraph India
Air India Express targets leisure segment, revamps offering
Air India Express targets leisure segment, revamps offering
Air India Express To Induct 20-24 Aircraft In Fleet Next Year
Will add 20-24 planes in 2026: Air India Express MD - Airlines/Aviation News
