Air India Eyes Restoration of Reduced Flight Schedules
Air India is considering reversing recent cuts to its flight schedules, contingent on the continued easing of geopolitical tensions in West Asia, according to airline sources. CEO Campbell Wilson communicated to employees that the de-escalation of the conflict has created a more stable operating environment, leading to increased available airspace and a significant moderation in fuel prices.
Wilson noted that while there is no guarantee the situation will not escalate again, the airline may be able to restore schedules if the current trend continues. He expressed collective hope among staff that these improvements would materialize in the near future, the sources said.
Positive Customer Feedback for Retrofitted Boeing 787 Fleet
Beyond flight operations, Wilson highlighted that customer feedback for the airline's retrofitted Boeing 787 fleet has been highly positive. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for the two retrofitted aircraft currently in operation improved dramatically from -31 to +43. Scores for cabin comfort, ambience, in-flight entertainment, and meal quality rose from approximately 2.7 out of 5 to 4.1, validating that the new physical product now matches the quality of staff and service, according to Wilson.
Fleet Expansion and Record On-Time Performance
Regarding fleet expansion, one Boeing 787-8 is en route to California for retrofitting, and approximately eight new or retrofitted widebody aircraft are expected to join service this year. A new Boeing 787-9 is anticipated to arrive in India this weekend. Additionally, the airline reported record-breaking operational performance for June, with overall on-time performance (OTP) reaching 86% and domestic OTP hitting a record 90%.
