Dreamliner’s India journey: Boeing sees long-term potential despite 2025 setbacks

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is confident about the future of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner in India, as the country’s aviation market continues to grow. In an interview with PTI, Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte said the widebody aircraft has strong potential in the Indian market and that the company expects to receive more orders in the coming years.

Gupte said global demand for the Dreamliner remains strong, and Boeing expects this trend to continue. Last year alone, the company delivered 14 Dreamliner aircraft to airlines across the world. In India, budget carrier IndiGo also operates a small number of Dreamliners that it has leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.

2025 was a difficult year for the Dreamliner

Gupte described 2025 as a particularly challenging year for the Dreamliner programme. On June 12 last year, an Air India Dreamliner operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off, killing 260 people. This was the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 aircraft.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently investigating the crash. Gupte said Boeing will wait for the official findings and that the company cannot comment while the investigation is still underway.

Air India operates most Dreamliners in India

In India, most Boeing 787 Dreamliners are operated by Air India. The airline is set to begin commercial operations of its first custom-built Dreamliner delivered after privatisation from February 1.

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According to PTI, Air India currently has 33 Dreamliners in its fleet. This includes 26 older Boeing 787-8 aircraft, six Boeing 787-9 aircraft that were transferred from Vistara, and one newly delivered aircraft. These aircraft are mainly used on long-haul international routes.

Boeing confident despite regulatory and tariff challenges

In recent years, Boeing has faced regulatory challenges, including increased scrutiny related to the Dreamliner programme. Gupte said that Boeing is confident in managing these challenges and remains focused on long-term growth.

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On trade and tariff-related concerns between India and the US, Gupte said both countries share a common goal of strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. He added that Boeing has a long history of overcoming global challenges, including wars, financial crises, and economic disruptions, and that short-term pressures do not affect the company’s long-term outlook.

Commenting on competition from European rival Airbus, Gupte said competition is a normal part of the aviation industry. He stressed that aircraft are tools for airlines to serve passengers better.

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Gupte said Boeing believes Indian airlines will continue to expand their route networks and that the 787 Dreamliner is well-suited for many of the routes and missions that Indian carriers are likely to operate in the future.

(With inputs from PTI)