Air India's merger with Vistara is expected to be completed next year. With this, the merged entity would become India's largest international carrier and second-largest domestic airline.
Air India has been upgrading its fleet and investing heavily in new planes. An increase in grants under bilateral agreements to Middle East carriers threatens Indian carriers' share in carrying passengers to long-haul destinations, leading to a lower return on investment.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has lofty ambitions for Air India. Once underinvested by the Indian government, Air India now 470 aircraft on order and hired thousands of new employees as part of an effort to turn its operations around.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline is in the process of changing its operations and culture as it seeks to rebrand itself as a “top-tier and world-class airline.”