Air India CEO eyes wide-body aircraft order expansion, says profitability remains a concern

Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam emphasized the airline's commitment to enhancing financial performance and expanding its aircraft orders. The airline seeks to capitalize on significant growth opportunities in the aviation sector amidst current industry challenges. Gebremariam expressed the need for India to make timely decisions for its potential as a global aviation hub. Air India also aims to rethink its hubs and network structure to adapt to changing conditions.

Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the airline is looking to increase its wide-body aircraft order as it seeks to tap growth opportunities, while acknowledging that profitability remains a key concern and the airline is working on costs across its business.

"I am more impatient than shareholders to see Air India turn profitable," Gebremariam said, adding that the airline is working on improving its financial performance.

The CEO said Air India has been "punching below its weight" and that this would change, pointing to the significant growth opportunities available to the airline.

"We want to increase our wide-body aircraft order," Gebremariam said, citing the huge growth opportunities ahead.

He said the airline has the right foundation in place to pursue these opportunities, even as it navigates challenges in the aviation sector.

"Right foundation is in place for Air India; there are huge growth opportunities," he said.

Gebremariam also said India has the potential to emerge as a global aviation hub if the right decisions are taken at the right time.

"India can be global hub if we do the right thing at the right time," he said.

The airline is also looking at rebalancing its hubs and network in response to prevailing headwinds, the CEO said.

"Air India will look at rebalancing hubs and network amid headwinds," he said.