Air India has made impressive strides under the leadership of the Tata Group, with CEO Campbell Wilson highlighting the airline’s strong market performance as it nears its third anniversary of acquisition in January. A key indicator of its success is Air India’s dominant position on metro-to-metro routes, where it holds a remarkable 55% market share, surpassing its main competitor, IndiGo. This positions Air India as the leader on critical routes connecting major cities across India.
Currently, Air India commands around 29% of the domestic market, reflecting its increasing prominence in the Indian aviation sector. Its dominance is further evident on the top 120 domestic routes, where the airline holds a notable 40% market share. This growth comes as a result of a combination of strategic fleet expansions, improved service offerings, and the airline’s renewed focus on increasing frequencies and connectivity on high-demand metro routes.
In line with this growth, Air India’s subsidiary, AI Express, has been actively expanding its workforce to meet the rising demand. Notably, the airline has hired a significant number of expatriate pilots to strengthen its operations. Currently, AI Express employs 144 foreign pilots, while Air India itself has 58. This move is part of the airline’s strategy to ensure smooth operations and continued service excellence across its growing network.
The Tata Group’s vision for Air India is clear: to position the airline as a formidable player in both domestic and international aviation markets. With strong leadership and a clear focus on operational excellence, Air India is poised to continue its upward trajectory in the years to come. As it builds its presence on metro routes and beyond, the airline aims to further solidify its position in the competitive Indian aviation landscape.