Air India Group continues to show new developments in its revitalization process, which seeks to rescue the airline from a period of decline it experienced during its time as a state-owned entity. In the late hours of October 18, the first Boeing 737 MAX 8, as well as the new livery of the low-cost carrier Air India Express (AIX), were unveiled at the hangars of Bombay International Airport.
Air India Express and AirAsia India, both subsidiaries of Tata Group-owned Air India, have introduced a refreshed and harmonized brand by merging both airlines into a single entity called ‘Air India Express’ on its new Boeing B737-8 aircraft.
Air India Express chairman Campbell Wilson said, «With the merger of Air India Express and Air Asia India, which is now in its final stages, we are witnessing a transformation in the aviation landscape. We are proud to introduce the new Air India Express brand, a vital part of the new Air India Group.»
The airline’s new design features primary colors in shades of orange and turquoise, with tangerine and ice blue hues as secondary colors. In addition, AIX’s aircraft will feature different designs reflecting India’s rich heritage of art and craftsmanship. The first Boeing 737 MAX is inspired by the Bandhani textile design, while the airline plans for upcoming aircraft to be inspired by other traditional patterns, such as Ajrakh, Patola, Kanjeevaram and Kalamkari.
This major development is accompanied by a revamped website, new in-flight services, signage and uniforms incorporating the colors of the new AIX.
Air India Express (AIX) and its first Boeing 737 MAX
The delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX was kept in total secrecy, as the aircraft in question, registration VT-BXA, was received on September 21 after a flight from Seattle (SEA) to Hyderabad (HYD), India, with stopovers in Keflavik (REK) and Kuwait (KWI).
In Hyderabad, the aircraft received the new livery overnight before departing for Mumbai (BOM) for its unveiling the following day, even staying covered until its unveiling. A second Boeing 737 MAX arrived on October 3 without raising suspicions in India.
The airline expects to take delivery of one aircraft every nine days for the next 15 months, totaling 50 Boeing 737 MAXs. This is aimed at replacing its 26 Boeing 737-800s from Air India Express and 28 Airbus A320-200s from the former Air Asia India. The airline plans to increase its fleet to 170 aircraft over the next five years to serve both the domestic and international markets.
It is important to remember that, mid-year, Air India placed an order for 190 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which includes options to purchase different models, such as the MAX 8, MAX 9 and MAX 10. With this acquisition, Air India Express becomes the third operator of this model in the Indian subcontinent, after Akasa Air and SpiceJet.
During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the grounding of Boeing 737 MAXs following two accidents, there were delays and cancellations in the delivery of numerous aircraft of this model. This resulted in an inventory of «White Tail,» i.e., aircraft without buyers, that reached as high as 300 aircraft.
The situation worsened with trade tensions between China and the United States, which further delayed deliveries of Boeing 737 MAXs to Chinese airlines after recertification. According to Leeham News, 55 of these unowned aircraft will go to Air India in the next 15 months.
More Air India aircraft in the future
Mid-year, during the Paris Air Show, Air India closed the largest purchase in the airline’s history with an order for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The deal is part of an order for 840 aircraft in total, with 470 aircraft firm and 370 as options. The purchase comprises 40 Airbus A350, 20 Boeing 787 and 10 Boeing 777-9 widebody aircraft, as well as 210 Airbus A320/321 NEOs and 190 Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle aircraft.
In December 2023, Air India is scheduled to introduce its new interiors and colors on its first Airbus A350-900.
