Overview
- The airline said on Sunday that it has restored roughly 90% of its West Asia network and has reopened new Abu Dhabi–India services launched in mid-July.
- Chairman Nipun Aggarwal said demand for travel between India and the Middle East remains strong and that operational limits on flying, not weak bookings, have been the main constraint.
- Air India Express expects to induct about 50–60 aircraft over the next 12–18 months and aims to take more 787-9 and 737 MAX 8 jets while seeking early deliveries of the 737 MAX 10 pending certification.
- Higher aviation fuel prices and longer rerouted flying times have raised operating costs, and the airline says current airfares do not fully cover the recent spike in fuel expenses.
- The carrier is pressing ahead with fleet harmonisation, MRO and training investments as part of Air India Group integration even though some retrofit work and delivery timing remain affected by global supply-chain delays.