Air India CEO Wants More Widebodies as International Ambitions Grow

Photo Credit: Air India's new custom designed B787-9. Air India Air India is looking to increase its existing widebody aircraft orders as it seeks to expand its international network and regain market share from foreign carriers. CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the airline is in discussions with Airbus and Boeing about adding more widebody aircraft to support its long-term ambitions. “We want to increase our order on widebody more,” Gebremariam said at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. Despite an existing large-aircraft order book, he said Air India’s international ambitions require more capacity. Air India has 600 aircraft on firm order, of which 80 are widebodies. He said airlines must order aircraft years in advance to have capacity when demand arrives. “Air India has been punching below its weight in the market. That is going to change,” he said. A Rethought Hub Strategy The airline is also rethinking its hub strategy, shifting more Europe a