Air India Transfers Twenty A320s to Air India Express for Fleet Optimization

Air India is set to transfer 20 A320 aircraft to its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, as part of a fleet optimization strategy designed to enhance domestic and short-haul international operations. This move will also see the transfer of cabin crew and pilots to Air India Express, according to recent reports. The transfer will occur in phases over the next few months.

Air India Express, which is currently merging with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India), primarily operates Boeing aircraft, including 26 B737-800s and 26 B737-8s. However, this imbalance will be addressed once AIX Connect’s 23 A320-200s and one A320-200N are integrated into the fleet. Combined with the incoming Air India aircraft, the merged low-cost entity will predominantly operate Airbus aircraft.

At present, Air India operates nine A320-200s and 46 A320-200Ns, with an additional 125 on order. All but one of these aircraft are configured with dual-class cabins. However, the 20 A320s heading to Air India Express are expected to be converted into single-cabin configurations to better align with the low-cost carrier’s operations.

This fleet transfer is part of a broader overhaul of the Tata Sons-owned airlines, which will also see Vistara merge with Air India. The mergers aim to consolidate the Tata Sons airline brands into two main entities. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has indicated that harmonization processes between the various airlines are already underway, with the group hoping to complete the mergers by the end of the year.

The strategic fleet transfer and mergers reflect Tata Sons’ commitment to streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency across its airline brands. By integrating Air India’s A320s into Air India Express, the group aims to bolster the low-cost carrier’s capacity and operational reach.

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