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Air India is set to make significant capacity addition at Navi Mumbai Airport as part of its larger plan to grow its footprint in India’s ever expanding aviation market. CEO Campbell Wilson detailed the carrier’s ongoing efforts to deploy upgraded aircraft and increase flights on key routes, a move that highlights the strategic importance of Navi Mumbai as an emerging aviation hub for all airlines.
Speaking about Air India’s network and capacity expansion plans in an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV Managing Editor Shereen Bhan, Wilson highlighted that the airline has already started deploying refitted aircraft on major metro routes, where it now holds approximately 50% market share. “We have made good progress on the domestic side with the narrow-body fleet, which is three-quarters through the refit process,” he said.
The refit program includes modernizing cabins and enhancing passenger comfort, and the refurbished aircraft are being used extensively on busy routes connecting major Indian cities.
Also tread | Air India targets 30% market share; to expand global footprint with new routes
On Navi Mumbai Airport, which has been developed as a secondary airport to ease congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, He said the aviation hub, is important for Air India as a key operational base. The new airport offers state-of-the-art facilities, improved passenger experience, and the potential to support more flights with better slot availability. His comments indicated that Air India plans to leverage the advantages the airport has to offer to increase capacity and provide frequent services from Navi Mumbai.
The capacity deployment is timely given the rapid growth in India’s domestic air travel demand. The Indian aviation market has been expanding at 8-10% annually, driven by rising income, urbanisation, and increasing accessibility to air travel for a broader segment of the population. Wilson emphasised that the airline’s investments in modernising premises, IT systems, and operations are crucial to support growth sustainably.
Another aspect of Air India’s plan is the integration of its full-service carrier operations with its low-cost subsidiaries. Wilson explained that the group has grown its low-cost fleet from 25 aircraft to 180, which is a strategic approach to cater to diverse customer segments. With a modern fleet and efficient operations, Air India is well positioned to capture market share across multiple airport hubs, including Navi Mumbai.
Also read | India’s global aviation role still in early stages, huge growth ahead: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson
Air India’s fleet expansion and modernisation go hand-in-hand with its capacity deployment strategy. “The airline is currently operating nearly 300 aircraft, up from less than 100 just three years ago, and expects to continue growing its fleet in the coming years. The wide-body aircraft refit programme, which serves long-haul international routes, is progressing well and will continue until 2027,” Wilson said.
Moreover, the increased capacity at Navi Mumbai and other airports will allow Air India to serve more destinations and improve connectivity for both business and leisure travellers. Wilson noted that the airline is mindful of operational challenges and is investing in processes to ensure consistent and reliable service across its network.
The airline’s focus on capacity deployment at Navi Mumbai Airport is strategic to capitalise on the booming air travel demand while providing improved service and operational efficiency. With significant investments in fleet modernisation and infrastructure upgrades, Air India aims to enhance its position as a leading airline in India’s aviation market.
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