As the Tata group-owned airline looks for ways to increase both its market share and its worldwide network, its CEO Campbell Wilson announced on Saturday that premium economy class will be introduced on certain of its lengthy overseas flights starting next month.
Wilson also stated that there are chances for India and Air India to become significant players in global aviation during the next ten years while speaking at an event hosted here by the JRD Tata Memorial Trust.
Air India’s managing director and CEO, Wilson, declared that the company would raise its market share to at least 30% on both local and international routes.
According to him, Air India is putting into action a long-term rehabilitation plan that includes growing its wide- and narrow-body fleets as well as its international network over the next five years.
The immediate measures included replacing the carpets, drapes, seat cushions, and covers. In order to repair faulty seats and in-flight entertainment systems as soon as supply chains permit. And in cases where parts are no longer readily available, to collaborate with companies like Tata Technologies to design and produce parts on our own.
The domestic inflight menu has recently had a complete makeover, and the company plans to do the same. Next month, it will also introduce premium economy on some long-haul international flights.
Wilson claims that the airline has brought approximately 20 aircraft back into service that were on the ground for years owing to a lack of funds and parts. This has necessitated purchasing more than 30,000 parts that had been cannibalised over the years to keep other aircraft flying, he added, excluding cabin interiors.
He said that the airline has finalised leases for 30 additional aircraft that will be delivered over the course of the next 12 months, beginning next week, in addition to restoring long-grounded aircraft, with more in the final stages of agreement.
In addition to these immediate additions, we are in serious talks with Boeing, Airbus, and engine suppliers about a historic order of the newest-generation aircraft that will fuel Air India’s medium- and long-term expansion. The investment will be significant, with the risk of being grossly understated, he said.
Wilson remarked that during the next six months, Air India would be taxiing, addressing the fundamentals, and getting ready for development. Wilson noted that Air India’s transformation journey will be in phases.
Both domestically and internationally, Air India has grown, with the latter adding new routes to Vancouver, Sydney, and Melbourne.
He claims that more than 62,000 applications for cabin crew employment have been submitted to Air India.
According to him, the government’s regional air connectivity programme UDAN, which supports developing domestic routes, and the quick building of new Indian airports would only reinforce the network effect that will drive additional expansion.
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