Air India Express, a budget airline, is planning a significant expansion next fiscal year. The airline aims to increase its flight operations by 40% thanks to the addition of new aircraft to its fleet.

While the international network may see some growth, the primary focus will be on strengthening domestic routes. The airline will not add many new destinations domestically but will launch flights to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka during the upcoming summer season.

This expansion is fueled by Air India Express’s growing fleet. The airline currently operates 350 daily flights with 69 planes and has an additional 1,300 pilots, including those from the soon-to-be-merged AirAsia India.

Air India Express is on track to complete its acquisition of 50 Boeing 737 Max planes by December this year, with over a dozen already inducted. Additionally, the merger with AirAsia India is expected to be finalized by the second quarter of the next fiscal year.

This will bring AirAsia India’s fleet, including its three A320neo planes, under Air India Express’s operations by July-August.

This expansion plan signifies Air India Express’s commitment to strengthening its position in the Indian aviation market, particularly in the domestic sector.