Air India Express plans to induct 20 to 24 new aircraft into its fleet in 2026 as part of its next phase of expansion under the Tata Group. The move is aimed at strengthening the airline’s domestic network and supporting its growth as a leading value carrier in India.

Managing Director Aloke Singh said at an event where the airline unveiled its new aircraft interiors and hot meal options. “The pace of inductions next year will depend on how the global supply chain evolves and the progress at Boeing’s manufacturing line,” Singh said. “Subject to those factors, we expect about 20 to 24 aircraft to join our fleet in the next calendar year.”

Air India Express currently operates a fleet of 110 aircraft, including Airbus A320/A321s and Boeing 737s, such as the latest 737 MAX models. Over the past two years, the airline added 50 white-tail Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and 16 Airbus planes to its fleet.

All new aircraft have been painted in the airline’s refreshed orange-and-white livery, which was introduced in October 2023. The design features regionally inspired tail art and upgraded interiors, reflecting Air India Express’s renewed brand identity under the Tata Group’s transformation plan.

Singh said the airline is now placing greater emphasis on expanding within India. “Two years ago, about 60 percent of our network was short-haul international and 40% domestic. Today, it’s roughly 50-50,” he explained. “We’ve been growing both segments, but domestic growth has been faster.”

Over the next few years, Air India Express plans to continue strengthening its domestic presence. “Our domestic network will grow faster than our short-haul international network. The strategy is depth before spread; we want to build a meaningful presence on each route and aim for about a third of the market share,” Singh said.

Currently, nearly 80 percent of the airline’s domestic capacity connects metro cities with Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the most dynamic and fast-growing segment of the Indian aviation market.

Singh emphasised that Air India Express complements the role of its parent airline, Air India.

“Air India focuses on metro-to-metro routes, business travellers, and long-haul international markets,” he said. “Air India Express, on the other hand, serves leisure destinations, the visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segment, small and medium enterprises, and value-conscious travellers.”

Under its winter 2025 schedule, Air India Express will operate more than 2,700 weekly domestic flights and about 780 short-haul international ones, representing a 25 percent increase compared to last year.

New routes will include Delhi–Port Blair, Bengaluru–Udaipur, and Bengaluru–Bangkok, expanding the airline’s connectivity across India and Southeast Asia.