Small jets, big plans: Indian airlines bet on narrow bodies for global reach
- IBEF
- October 14, 2025
India’s airlines are increasingly deploying long-range narrow-body aircraft to expand international connectivity beyond traditional hubs. Carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air are using jets like the Airbus A321neo, A321LR/XLR, and Boeing 737 MAX to operate nonstop flights from secondary cities to destinations in Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East. This strategy allows airlines to serve ‘long-thin’ routes-medium-demand markets that are uneconomical for wide-body aircraft-while optimizing fuel efficiency, crew utilization, and operating costs. Routes such as Mumbai-Istanbul, Delhi-Hong Kong, and Hyderabad-Singapore illustrate this trend, demonstrating how single-aisle jets are reshaping India’s international aviation footprint.
Industry experts highlight that a hybrid fleet model combining narrow-body reach with wide-body capacity will underpin sustainable growth for Indian carriers. Narrow-bodies enable flexibility and cost efficiency for new routes. At the same time, wide-bodies remain essential for high-demand sectors, premium travel, and cargo operations. With aircraft innovations, improved fuel efficiency, and operational planning, Indian airlines are poised to increase direct connectivity from secondary cities, compete with global transfer hubs, and expand to markets in Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. This dual fleet approach is expected to define the next phase of international expansion over the coming decade.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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