Air India is set to embark on a significant transformation journey under its ‘Vision 2025’ initiative, focusing on retrofitting its aircraft with new seats and enhancing service standards, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson. In an internal communication to employees on Friday, Wilson outlined the airline’s plans for the upcoming years.
“By 2025, we will see progress on many key initiatives, such as refitting our widebody and remaining narrowbody aircraft with new seats and services, further elevating Air India’s service standards,” Wilson stated. He emphasized the goal of raising expectations for service quality and ensuring consistent and efficient operations that lead to profitability.
With the merger of Air India, Vistara, Air India Express, and AirAsia now complete, Wilson expressed optimism about the future, urging employees to work together as a united team towards common objectives. “We will be working hard in 2025, with you, to embed this deeply into our DNA,” he added.
Transformative Year Ahead for Air India
The year 2024 has already been transformative for Air India and the Indian aviation sector, marked by the completion of two major mergers. The combined workforce of 30,000 employees now operates 300 aircraft across both brands, serving over 60 million passengers annually to more than 100 destinations worldwide.
Significant milestones achieved this year include the launch of India’s first A350 aircraft, the addition of 100 more aircraft to its order book, the inauguration of a state-of-the-art training academy in Gurugram, and the commencement of construction for a new maintenance base in Bengaluru. Additionally, a 34-aircraft flight school has been established in Amravati, Maharashtra.
Wilson noted that the airline has already begun the interior refit of its full-service narrowbody fleet, opened new premium passenger lounges in Bengaluru, and restructured its network to ensure that the best aircraft serve key routes, including major domestic and international destinations.
IndiGo’s Growth Amidst Air India’s Transformation
As Air India looks ahead to 2025, it faces competition from IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, which recently celebrated its 18th anniversary. IndiGo has launched a business-class service on the Delhi-Mumbai route and introduced a loyalty program. CEO Piter Elbers stated that the airline remains committed to its values and customer promises, aiming to become a global leader in aviation.
After surpassing 100 million passengers last year, IndiGo expects to serve over 112 million customers in 2024. With a fleet of over 400 aircraft and an order for A350-900 widebodies, the airline serves 126 destinations and will receive its XLR aircraft next year, further solidifying its position in the aviation market.
