Tata Airlines Overhauls Routes: Air India to Focus on Major Hub Connections, Air India Express Expands into Tier 2 & 3 Cities
Tata Airlines Overhauls Routes: Air India to Focus on Major Hub Connections, Air India Express Expands into Tier 2 & 3 Cities
Air India and Air India Express realign network for optimized connectivity, tapping growth in tier 2 and tier 3 cities and enhancing international access.
In a strategic shift, Tata Group’s airline network is undergoing a significant realignment with Air India concentrating on major hub-to-hub routes, while Air India Express is expanding services in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, according to Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express. This approach is part of Tata’s goal to streamline its airlines’ networks, using Air India for full-service routes between primary hubs and Air India Express for more cost-effective connections from smaller cities to these hubs.
For example, Air India serves hub-to-hub routes like Delhi-Dubai, while Air India Express operates non-hub routes such as Goa-Dubai. In India, Air India covers the Delhi-Mumbai route, while Air India Express serves Delhi-Ranchi. However, Singh noted that some routes might continue to see both airlines if demand warrants it.
A key focus for Air India Express is expanding regional and short-haul international routes to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, particularly for passengers from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Singh emphasized these smaller cities as crucial to India’s aviation growth. To meet demand, Air India Express will add 20 planes by fiscal year-end, increasing its fleet to 110 aircraft.
The realignment also includes Air India Express expanding beyond its established Gulf routes. The airline plans to launch flights to Bangkok and Phuket, with plans for future routes to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and CIS countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Additional Southeast Asian destinations like Malaysia and Cambodia are under consideration.
With seamless travel in mind, Tata’s airline group has integrated booking processes for travelers connecting from Air India’s international flights to Air India Express routes. Passengers can now book a single ticket with Air India that may include a connecting flight on Air India Express, like London-Delhi with a Delhi-Ranchi connection.
Looking ahead, Air India Express anticipates its daily flight count to surpass 525 by March 2025, connecting 55 domestic and international airports. The airline projects a monthly passenger volume of 2.4 million, a notable increase from the previous year’s figures, as it seeks to serve the fast-growing tier 2 and tier 3 segments and streamline access to India’s primary international hubs.
