Air India 2026: CEO Targets More Widebody Aircraft Orders
Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam discusses adding widebody aircraft with Airbus and Boeing to fuel international network expansion.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Air India is in talks with Airbus and Boeing to purchase more widebody aircraft
- The airline currently holds 600 firm aircraft orders, including 80 widebodies
- Hub strategy is being overhauled due to Pakistani airspace closure, shifting flights to Mumbai
- Consolidated fiscal 2026 losses exceeded $2.3 billion, prompting cost-cutting measures
Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam believes the carrier has been performing below its true market potential and is now proactively planning for its future rather than its present state, signaling a major strategic shift in international aviation.
To support its long-term ambitions of expanding its international network and reclaiming market share from foreign carriers, Air India is actively looking to increase its existing widebody aircraft order book through ongoing discussions with both Airbus and Boeing.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Speaking at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 conference in New Delhi, Gebremariam noted that while the airline already has a massive backlog of 600 firm aircraft orders—80 of which are widebodies—its international growth goals require significantly higher capacity, necessitating orders placed years in advance.
"Air India has been punching below its weight in the market. That is going to change."
Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Air India
Financial pressures remain a prominent hurdle as the airline pursues this aggressive growth. The group reported consolidated losses exceeding INR 220 billion (more than $2.3 billion) for fiscal 2026, which is more than double the losses recorded in the previous fiscal year, with the CEO openly stating that unit costs currently outweigh revenues.
Air India's push for additional widebody jets despite mounting financial losses highlights a calculated high-stakes strategy to capture high-yield international transit traffic. Balancing this rapid fleet expansion with internal cost restructuring will be critical for long-term viability.
Operational adjustments are also underway due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, which has heavily impacted Delhi. Consequently, the carrier is shifting more Europe and North American routes to Mumbai, focusing Delhi on eastern and southeastern markets, and evaluating Bengaluru as a potential third hub.
Source: Skift
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