The airline aims to have over 100 planes by March 2025, up from the current 90, and eventually reach about 175 planes in the next three years. This is part of Air India Group ‘s larger plan to acquire 470 aircraft. NEW DELHI: Air India Express is growing its fleet and adding new flight routes amid rising passenger numbers.
Air India Express Delays Dhaka Flights Amid Local Conditions
Air India Express has put its planned flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh, on hold due to current conditions in the region. Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, stated, “You would recall we had announced our operational plan for Dhaka, which is a new and significant market for us. But because of the situation there, we have deferred those plans.” The service was initially scheduled to launch in September with six weekly flights. Despite this delay, the airline remains focused on expanding its presence in the eastern sector, with Kathmandu flights expected to commence by the end of March 2025.
Air India Express currently operates over 400 daily flights to 36 domestic and 15 international destinations , using 61 Boeing 737s and 29 Airbus A320s. The airline has a 12% market share in Kolkata, rising to 24% when combined with Air India. Daily passenger traffic in India exceeded 500,000 in November, driving the airline’s expansion plans. Check out the latest news about Delhi Elections 2025 , including key constituencies such as New Delhi , Kalkaji , Jangpura , Patparganj and Rohini , Chandni Chowk , Rajinder Nagar , Greater Kailash , Okhla , Dwarka .
The expansion will focus on short flights, about 5.5 to 6 hours long, connecting major cities with smaller ones. Kolkata will see 10 more daily flights by summer 2025, including new routes and more frequent service on existing ones. Weekly flights in Kolkata and Bagdogra have already increased 37%, from 168 last winter to over 230.
Air India Express will also boost its presence in the Gulf, Middle East, and Southeast Asia, considering new destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, Vietnam, and Colombo. Flights to Vietnam could start in the next financial year or the year after. The airline is also exploring options in CIS countries. The airline’s overnight plane capacity in Kolkata will rise from seven to nine. New direct flights from Kolkata will include Port Blair, Indore, and Agartala. Bagdogra will add flights to Hyderabad and Chennai. A new route will connect Dimapur and Kolkata, and Patna is also slated for expansion.