Air India Orders 30 Additional Boeing 737 MAX Jets to Boost Domestic, Regional Growth

Air India Orders 30 Additional Boeing 737 MAX Jets to Boost Domestic, Regional Growth

New Delhi: Air India on Friday announced an order for 30 additional fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as part of its aggressive expansion and fleet modernisation plans, aimed at strengthening connectivity across domestic and regional markets.

The airline said it finalised an incremental purchase of 20 Boeing 737-8 aircraft earlier this month, while an order for 10 Boeing 737-10 jets—previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website—has now been confirmed as part of Air India’s fleet plan. Both purchases were executed by exercising existing options.

The new order aligns with Air India’s strategy to expand its route network and meet rising passenger demand, particularly in India and the broader South Asia region.

“This additional order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft is part of our broader fleet strategy to position Air India firmly for the future, as a world-class global carrier that India deserves and the world expects,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Air India.

Since its privatisation in January 2022, the Air India group has added nearly 170 aircraft to its fleet through a mix of new deliveries, strategic leasing, the merger of erstwhile Vistara into Air India, and the reactivation of previously grounded aircraft. The airline said these steps have significantly accelerated capacity expansion and fleet modernisation.

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines and are designed to offer improved fuel efficiency, enhanced passenger comfort and high operational reliability, making them well-suited for single-aisle operations on short and medium-haul routes.

“Air India’s order for more 737 MAX jets underscores the strong performance of their existing 737-8 fleet as they continue to expand connectivity across India and the South Asia region,” said Paul Righi, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia at Boeing.

With the latest order, Air India continues to reinforce its transformation into a competitive global carrier, focusing on efficiency, sustainability and network growth amid a sharp recovery in air travel demand.