Air India to induct 26 new planes in 2026, says CEO

AIR INDIA GROUP expects 2026 to be the most visible phase of its ongoing overhaul, even as its overall capacity will remain largely unchanged next year due to a simultaneous induction of new aircraft and exit of older ones.

- NITIN KUMAR

CEO and MD Campbell Wilson on Monday said the airline will add 26 aircraft in 2026—six wide bodies and 20 narrow bodies —but the net fleet count will stay comparatively flat as leased Boeing 777s are returned and three owned 777s are retired, alongside a significant portion of the fleet remaining grounded for retrofits.

A stronger increase in capacity is expected in 2027-28 as bulk aircraft deliveries begin.“The number of aircraft in 2026 starts and ends the same, but they are different aircraft. The net growth will really come from the following years,’ Wilson said.