Air India Expands Fleet with 30 New Boeing 737 MAX Jets in Strategic Move, ETTravelWorld

Boeing and Air India have announced a new order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, expanding the carrier’s total Boeing backlog to nearly 200 jets across narrow-body and wide-body segments. The order includes 20 737-8 airplanes finalised this month and 10 737-10s previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.

The purchase builds on Air India’s 2023 mega-order and is part of its phased fleet renewal plan to support sustained network expansion.

Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director, Air India, said: “This additional order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft is part of our broader fleet strategy to position Air India firmly for the future, as a world-class global carrier that India deserves and the world expects. Building on our 2023 orders and subsequent additions, this order supports steady deliveries and fleet upgrades planned over the next few years.”

The 737-8 will serve high-frequency domestic and short-haul regional routes, offering improved fuel efficiency, lower operating costs and enhanced passenger comfort. The larger 737-10 will help the airline maintain operational commonality while carrying more passengers at the lowest cost per seat in its category.

Paul Righi, Vice President, Commercial Sales and Marketing – Eurasia, India and South Asia, Boeing, said: “Air India’s order for more 737 MAX jets underscores the strong performance of their existing 737-8 fleet as they continue to expand connectivity across India and the South Asia region.”

According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook, India and South Asia will require nearly 3,300 new aircraft over the next 20 years, with single-aisle jets like the 737 MAX accounting for about 90 per cent of total demand.