Air India adds 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets to firm orderbook

Air India has placed a firm order for 30 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, comprising 20 737 MAX 8s and 10 737 MAX 10s, further expanding the narrowbody fleet plan unveiled by the airline in 2023.

The announcement was made on January 28 during the opening day of the Wings India 2026 aviation exhibition. With the new agreement, Air India’s total firm orders with Boeing rise from 220 to 250 aircraft.

The additional order builds on the airline’s 2023 commitment for 470 new aircraft across manufacturers, including 220 Boeing jets. Of those original Boeing orders, Air India has already taken delivery of 52 aircraft.

These include 51 737 MAX 8s currently operated by subsidiary Air India Express and one 787-9 widebody, which is scheduled to enter commercial service on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route from February 1.

Following the latest deal, Air India has a total of 198 Boeing aircraft still on order. The new 737 MAX aircraft will support the airline’s single-aisle operations as it continues to rebuild and standardize its fleet after privatization.

Since being acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, the Air India group has added close to 170 aircraft through a combination of new deliveries, leasing arrangements, the merger of Vistara into Air India, and the return to service of previously grounded aircraft. The process has been central to the airline’s capacity growth and fleet renewal efforts.

The 737 MAX family ordered by Air India is powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines and is intended to serve short- and medium-haul routes within India and across South Asia, where the airline has been steadily expanding frequencies and network coverage.

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