Air India aims for a 30% market share and plans to grow its international presence with new routes.

Air India, spearheaded by CEO Campbell Wilson, is embarking on a significant network expansion initiative in both domestic and international markets as part of its ambitious turnaround strategy. With a clear objective to evolve into a world-class global carrier, the airline is dedicated to increasing its market share and serving more destinations to cater to the rising demand for air travel in India and beyond.

In a detailed interview with CNBC-TV18’s Managing Editor Shereen Bhan on May 31, Wilson emphasized the airline’s commitment to extending its global reach. “We are targeting a market share of 30%, and we are already edging closer, sitting at around 27% today,” he noted. This growth trajectory is bolstered by an extensive fleet expansion plan, which includes an order for 470 aircraft, signaling Air India’s intention to significantly scale up operations.

The airline aims to broaden its destination offerings while improving flight frequency and quality on existing routes. Wilson pointed out the introduction of refitted aircraft such as the Airbus A350 on high-demand long-haul routes like London Heathrow and New York as a testament to how Air India is enhancing its product and service standards for global competition. These routes are vital as they connect India with major economic and cultural hubs, drawing a significant volume of both business and leisure travelers.
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Wilson also highlighted the emphasis on domestic metro routes, where Air India, along with its subsidiaries, has managed to secure around 50% market share. This stronghold in key Indian metro corridors lays a solid groundwork for further network expansion. The airline’s growth is supported by substantial investments in upgrading physical infrastructure, IT systems, and operational capabilities to facilitate a more extensive and efficient service.

A key aspect of Air India’s expansion strategy involves attracting a new generation of flyers in India. Although India is already the third-largest domestic air travel market worldwide, air travel penetration remains low—about one-fifth that of China. This gap indicates significant growth potential as the nation’s middle class expands and more individuals gain access to affordable air travel.

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Wilson remarked that the airline’s ambitious growth plans reflect this potential: “India is a very fast-growing aviation market, typically growing 8 to 10% per year. We believe that as more people achieve the economic means to fly, we will see a dramatic improvement in air traffic.”

The transformation of the airline from a struggling legacy carrier to a modern full-service airline is closely connected to this vision. Wilson mentioned that over the past three years, Air India has unified multiple airlines under one brand, upgraded its IT infrastructure, onboarded thousands of new personnel, and enhanced operational metrics such as on-time performance and customer satisfaction ratings.

With a solid foundation in place, Air India’s focus shifts to capitalizing on emerging opportunities by expanding its destination network and introducing newer, more efficient aircraft. Wilson finally stressed that this endeavor is a long-term mission, aligned with the airline’s objective of becoming a world-class carrier that represents India’s culture globally.