Air India aims to have a domestic market share of 30 percent in the next five years and significantly boost its international operations, with the Tatas-owned airline rolling out a transformation plan after getting feedback from employees . The airline, which plans to launch 30 new wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, on Thursday announced ‘Vihaan.AI’, a comprehensive transformation plan with a detailed roadmap for the next five years. Under the plan, it will focus on dramatically growing both its network and fleet, developing a completely redesigned customer proposition, improving reliability and on-time performance, and taking a leadership position in technology, sustainability and innovation, as well as aggressive investment. for the best talent in the industry, according to the report.
“Over the next 5 years, Air India will aim to increase its market share to at least 30 percent in the domestic market, while significantly increasing international routes from the current market share. The plan aims to put Air India on a path to sustained growth, profitability and market leadership ,” the airline said. Air India had a domestic market share of 8.4 percent in July, according to the latest data from aviation regulator DGCA. Developed based on extensive feedback from Air India employees, the plan will focus on five key pillars exceptional customer experience, robust operations, best-in-class talent, industry leadership and commercial efficiency and profitability.
“While the airline’s immediate focus is on solidifying its foundations and preparing for growth (Taxi Phase), the medium to long-term focus will be on building excellence and creating scale to become a global industry leader (Take Off & Climb Phase),” the report said. Air India MD and CEO Campbell Wilson said the transformation has already begun with a number of initiatives in areas such as cabin renovation, serviceable seats and inflight entertainment system.
“We are also adopting proactive maintenance and fine-tuning flight schedules to improve on-time performance. Our fleet expansion will include a mix of narrow and wide body aircraft to meet the diverse needs of the network,” he added. The ‘Vihaan AI’ plan was revealed through Workplace, the airline’s virtual communication platform. In the coming days and weeks, the management team will engage employees across regions, departments and locations through a series of physical and hybrid sessions. In Sanskrit, Vihaan means the dawn of a new era.
The airline will deploy 5 wide-body Boeings and 25 narrow-body Airbus aircraft over the next 15 months. The leased aircraft are 21 Airbus A320 neo, 4 Airbus A321 neo and 5 Boeing B777-200LR. Air India’s narrow-body fleet has 70 aircraft. Of these, 54 are in service and the remaining 16 aircraft will gradually return to service by early 2023. The wide-body fleet consists of 43 aircraft, of which 33 are operational. The rest will return to service in early 2023.
