Air India aspires to achieve a 30% domestic market share and considerably expand its overseas operations in the next five years, with the Tatas-owned airline implementing a transformation plan based on employee feedback.
The carrier, which expects to introduce 30 new wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, announced ‘Vihaan.AI,’ a complete transformation strategy with a thorough five-year road map, on Thursday.
According to a press release, the focus of the plan will be on dramatically expanding both its network and fleet, developing a completely revamped customer proposition, improving reliability and on-time performance, taking a leadership position in technology, sustainability, and innovation, and aggressively investing behind the best industry talent.
According to the most recent data from aviation regulator DGCA, Air India had an 8.4 percent domestic market share in July.
The plan, which was developed in response to substantial employee feedback, will centre on five important pillars: great customer experience, resilient operations, industry-best people, industry leadership, and commercial efficiency and profitability.
Air India MD and CEO Campbell Wilson stated that the transition has already begun with a number of measures like as cabin refurbishment, serviceable seats, and an in-flight entertainment system.
“We are also implementing preventive maintenance and adjusting flight itineraries in order to improve on-time performance.” “Our fleet growth will include a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft to meet the diverse network needs,” he added.
Workplace, the airline’s virtual communication and engagement platform, was used to reveal the ‘Vihaan.AI’ idea. The management team will engage employees across regions, departments, and locations in a series of physical and hybrid sessions in the following days and weeks.
Vihaan represents the beginning of a new era in Sanskrit.
Over the following 15 months, the airline will get 5 Boeing wide-body planes and 25 Airbus narrow-body planes. 21 Airbus A320 Neos, 4 Airbus A321 Neos, and 5 Boeing B777-200LRs are being leased.
Air India has 70 narrow-body aircraft in its fleet. 54 of them are currently in operation, with the remaining 16 returning to service gradually by early 2023.
The wide-body fleet consists of 43 aircraft, 33 of which are operating. The remainder will be back in service by early 2023.