‍HYDERABAD — Air India (AI) on Wednesday announced a fresh aircraft order and a strategic fleet adjustment as part of its ongoing expansion and modernization drive. 

Speaking at Wings India 2026, a biennial civil aviation event held in Hyderabad and organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India, the airline confirmed that it had placed an additional order for 30 Boeing narrowbody aircraft and converted part of its existing Airbus order to the longer-range A321XLR variant.

The Boeing order comprises 20 Boeing 737-8 and 10 Boeing 737-10 aircraft. These jets will strengthen AI's narrowbody fleet.

Air India Converts A321neo Orders to A321XLR

In parallel, AI announced that it has converted 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft from its existing order into the Airbus A321XLR. 

Offering significantly greater range than the standard A321neo, the A321XLR is expected to enable the airline to operate longer, thinner international routes more efficiently, including direct services from second- and third-tier Indian cities to destinations in Europe and East Asia where demand does not justify the use of widebody aircraft.

Airbus said it would deliver the aircraft by 2029 or 2030.

The Indian flag carrier is currently undertaking one of the most ambitious fleet renewal programmes in global aviation, aiming to improve operational efficiency and enhance passenger experience.