Air India Charts Expansion Course with Hub Rebalancing, Fleet Growth Plans

Air India will rebalance its network across multiple hubs and pursue additional wide-body aircraft as part of a comprehensive turnaround strategy, the airline's Chief Executive Tewolde Gebremariam said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 conference in the national capital, Gebremariam outlined an ambitious plan to reverse years of underperformance and restore the carrier's competitive position on international routes.

Since assuming office in October, Gebremariam has prioritized cost reduction alongside capacity expansion. The carrier intends to designate Bengaluru as a third major hub alongside its existing operations in Delhi and Mumbai, while simultaneously restructuring its international flight network to optimize connectivity and market penetration.

"Air India has been punching below its weight and that will change," Gebremariam stated at the conference. The airline plans to substantially increase orders for wide-body aircraft to strengthen its long-haul capabilities and better serve growing demand on regional and international routes.

The loss-making airline, which underwent a government-backed acquisition by the Tata Group, is executing a wide-ranging transformation programme amid multiple operational headwinds. The strategic repositioning reflects management confidence in identifying growth opportunities within South and Southeast Asia's expanding aviation market.