Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam Seeks More Widebody Jets to Boost Global Reach

Air India CEO Tewolde Gebremariam says the carrier has been \"punching below its weight\" and is now planning for the airline it wants to become, not the one it is today. In a recent interview, he stressed the need for more widebody aircraft to support the airline's growing international ambitions. Gebremariam, who has led Air India since 2017, is positioning the state-owned carrier to compete more aggressively on long-haul routes, especially to North America and Europe, where demand for direct flights from India is rising. The push for widebodies comes as Air India prepares for privatization, with the government seeking to sell its stake. A larger fleet of fuel-efficient long-range planes would help the airline modernize its operations, improve connectivity, and attract premium passengers. Industry analysts note that India's international air travel market is expanding rapidly, but Air India currently lags behind foreign carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways in terms of capacity and service quality. Gebremariam's comments signal a strategic shift toward reclaiming market share and building a network that matches India's economic clout. The move could also create opportunities for aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, which are competing for widebody orders from Indian carriers. With the right fleet and investment, Air India could finally realize its potential as a global player. Watch for fleet announcements in the coming months as the privatization process moves forward.