Air India wants to increase its widebody aircraft order as it pursues international growth, with chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam predicting the carrier will return to profitability “very soon”. Speaking at the Aviation India event in New Delhi on 3 November, he confirmed interest in additional long-haul aircraft but gave no number or purchase timetable. The airline has held discussions with Airbus and Boeing; no new order has been confirmed.
Additional widebodies would support Air India’s effort to expand international traffic and strengthen long-haul operations. An industry source cited by Reuters said the airline was weighing the high cost and lower efficiency of older widebody aircraft. Newer jets could also help it serve more cities and manage the operational effects of Pakistan’s airspace restrictions.
The fleet ambition comes as Air India works to improve its finances. The carrier and subsidiary Air India Express recorded a consolidated net loss of 22,238 crore rupees in the financial year to March 2026, more than double the previous year’s loss. Gebremariam offered no specific timeframe or forecast details for the anticipated return to profit.
Air India has been undergoing a multibillion-dollar transformation since its return to Tata Group ownership in 2022, including fleet renewal, cabin upgrades and network expansion. Tata holds about 75% of the airline, with Singapore Airlines owning the remainder.