19 Feb 2026
#3 February 2026: India Aviation Newsletter
Air India Upgrades Product and Customer Experience
Air India announced it will deploy aircraft featuring new, retrofitted or upgraded cabin interiors on additional key international routes as part of its Northern Summer Schedule 2026. The airline’s retrofit programme for 26 legacy Boeing 787-8 aircraft is underway, with brand-new cabin interiors and a refreshed livery being introduced. The first two retrofitted aircraft are expected to re-enter service in the coming weeks, with further upgrades progressing through 2026. Air India also expects deliveries of three new line-fit Boeing 787-9s and two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft during the year, supporting long-haul capacity growth.
IndiGo Adjusts 787 Network to Enhance Operational Resilience
IndiGo announced schedule revisions across its long-haul network to stabilise operations amid ongoing airspace restrictions and airport congestion. The airline’s six Boeing 787-9 aircraft have experienced extended block times due to geopolitical airspace changes and infrastructure constraints. To protect on-time performance and minimise customer disruption, IndiGo is implementing immediate operational adjustments. The widebody project is positioned as an interim expansion step ahead of the planned induction of Airbus A350-900 aircraft from early 2028.
TrueNoord Expands Portfolio with Lease of Two ATR 72-600s to FLY91
TrueNoord announced the delivery of two ATR 72-600 aircraft on long-term operating leases to FLY91. The first aircraft was delivered in late December 2025 and is already in service, while the second delivered in mid-January and is expected to enter operations shortly. One aircraft will be based in Goa and the other in Hyderabad, supporting FLY91’s regional connectivity strategy across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The additions mark progress toward the airline’s plan to grow to a 30-aircraft fleet by 2029.
Acumen’s Take
On Air India’s Retrofit and Fleet Strategy
Air India’s cabin upgrade programme signals a coordinated push to elevate premium positioning while modernising its long-haul fleet. Retrofit execution alongside new widebody inductions reflects a dual-track strategy balancing immediate customer experience improvements with long-term fleet renewal.
On IndiGo’s Network Resilience Measures
Operational discipline is becoming critical as airspace constraints and congestion reshape global flight planning. IndiGo’s proactive schedule recalibration highlights the importance of protecting reliability while preparing for widebody fleet expansion later this decade.
On TrueNoord’s ATR Placement in India
Regional connectivity in India continues to strengthen through turboprop deployments. Leasing activity in the ATR segment reflects sustained demand for efficient aircraft serving secondary city pairs, reinforcing the structural growth story of India’s regional aviation market.
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