BENGALURU– India’s flag carrier, Air India (AI), which is owned by Tata, is making a number of moves to achieve its lofty objective of ranking among the top airlines in the world.
The recent completion of the merger between Air India and Vistara is a major turning point in this journey. Two full-service carriers (FSCs) were merged into a single organization as a result. One of the best airlines in India is reportedly Vistara. Currently, the airline is a part of Air India.
Air India 2025 Network Updates
Air India (AI) is preparing for an exciting year in terms of network expansion with additional destinations and improved connections, with a strong focus on growth and service enhancement. A large number of these are long-awaited creations.
This strategic alignment reaffirms Air India’s commitment to providing competitive services and enhancing its global stature by putting it in a position to take advantage of these hubs for both domestic and international growth.
The 2025 expansion of Air India’s routes and destinations solidifies the airline’s position as a major force in the aviation sector.
Anticipated Routes for 2025
Based on unique Aviation A2Z sources and solid industry speculations, we have compiled information about Air India’s projected plans for 2025.
The airline is projected to emphasize expansion through its three main hubs: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Bengaluru (BLR).
Delhi (DEL)
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the airline’s largest hub. The airline operates flights to 36 domestic and 37 foreign destinations from Delhi (DEL). The airline will continue to enhance its presence at its largest hub, Delhi (DEL), as the majority of new flights are planned from here.
The following are the new probable routes from Delhi (DEL) in 2025.
Los Angeles:
Los Angeles (LAX) has been a popular route from India for many years. Rumors say that Air India (AI) may begin flights to Los Angeles (LAX) in 2024. However, Los Angeles may finally see the light by 2025.
Los Angeles (LAX) – Delhi (DEL) is the second-largest underserved market in the United States. In 2023, this segment saw approximately 87,000 passengers.
Seattle:
Seattle is a city on the West Coast of the United States. It is one of the largest unserved Indian cities in the United States. However, this may change as Air India considers Seattle (SEA) as a possible destination in the USA. Air India (AI) may operate flights from Delhi to Seattle (SEA) in 2025.
It makes more sense for Delhi (DEL) to be connected to Seattle. It is not only because Delhi (DEL) is an Air India hub, but also because Delhi (DEL)-Seattle (SEA) is the country’s largest unserved route to the United States.
Delhi (DEL) – Seattle (SEA), with approximately 117,000 passengers in 2023, holds enormous potential for Air India (AI).
Dallas:
Dallas (DFW) is another city that has received numerous demands to launch a nonstop trip to India, specifically Hyderabad (HYD). The majority of Dallas’ Indian population speaks Telugu.
However, Delhi (DEL) may eventually link to Dallas (DFW) in 2025. With over 400,000 Indians residing in Dallas, Air India has a tremendous opportunity to lure frequent Indian travelers in and out of India via the Delhi (DEL) hub.
Boston:
Boston (BOS) is one of the alleged routes that Air India (AI) is considering. More than 250,000 travelers flew to India from Boston in 2023.
However, Mumbai (BOM) is the main market for Boston (BOS) in India. In 2023, approximately 65,000 passengers traveled from Mumbai (BOM) to Boston (BOS). Delhi (DEL) is the second-largest market with 61,000 passengers, followed by Bengaluru (BLR) with 34,000.
Air India (AI) is widely thought to be considering introducing a new nonstop flight from Delhi (DEL) to Boston (BOS). It is possible that it will happen in 2025.
Jakarta:
It is commonly known that Indonesia-India has insufficient connectivity to date. There are only a few nonstop flights between the two nations. IndiGo (6E) connects Mumbai (BOM) to Jakarta (CGK) and Bengaluru (BLR) to Denpasar. Vistara was the first airline to connect Delhi (DEL) and Denpasar (DPS).
Delhi (DEL) – Jakarta (CGK) is a prospective area in 2025 where Air India (AI) could commence flights. The nonstop flights will benefit both leisure and business travelers.
Manila:
Another fascinating story is about flights to Manila (MNL). Air India is apparently planning flights between Delhi (DEL) and Manila (MNL). However, the flights did not occur in 2024.
It will be fascinating to observe if Air India (AI) will start flying to Manila (MNL) in 2025. It is dependent to aircraft and slot availability at the Manila (MNL) airport. Manila Airport (MNL) has considerable slot limits.
Mumbai (BOM)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai serves as the airline’s secondary hub. The airline serves 33 local and 20 foreign destinations from Mumbai (BOM). Air India (AI) is reportedly planning to expand into Europe in 2025. The airline may also launch flights to Indonesia.
Manchester:
Air India (AI) had reserved slots in Manchester (MAN) to fly from Mumbai (BOM) in 2024. However, flights never actually occurred.
Mumbai (BOM) – Manchester (MAN) may occur in 2025. Jet Airways (9W) ran this route in 2018 before declaring bankruptcy.
Indonesia:
Air India (AI) may consider expanding into Indonesia from Mumbai (BOM) after Delhi (DEL). Mumbai (BOM) – Denpasar (DPS) is Indonesia’s largest underserved sector.
In 2023, more than 130,000 passengers traveled from Mumbai (BOM) to Denpasar (DPS). Unfortunately, only Air India (AI) has a fleet capable of flying such extensive distances. IndiGo (6E) might launch flights after the airline gets its XLRs.
Bengaluru (BLR)
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) serves as the airline’s secondary hub. The airline currently has a small presence in Bengaluru (BLR). The airline operates flights from Bengaluru (BLR) to ten domestic destinations and three overseas destinations. However, the airline intends to increase its international flights from Bengaluru (BLR) in 2025.
Dubai:
Dubai is the largest market in Bengaluru (BLR). Air India (AI) is apparently intending to commence flights in this sector.
The airport’s website has displayed Air India (AI) flights to Dubai (DXB) multiple times. This indicates that the airline had booked slots for the flight. However, this route was never offered for bookings.
Air India (AI) may commence flights in this sector in 2025. With Bengaluru (BLR) becoming as a significant center, this route is a no-brainer.
Frankfurt (FRA):
Air India (AI) is rumored to launch flights between Bengaluru (BLR) and Frankfurt (FRA). Bengaluru (BLR) – Frankfurt (FRA) is the nation’s third-largest market.
With Air India (AI) currently servicing Frankfurt (FRA) from Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR) could be the next destination to receive flights.
Additionally, Air India (AI) has a codeshare arrangement with Lufthansa. Passengers can easily connect to a variety of European and American destinations via Lufthansa (LH) at Frankfurt (FRA).
Melbourne:
Melbourne (MEL) is another route that Air India (AI) is apparently considering launching flights to. Air India (AI) already flies to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) from Melbourne.
In 2023, Melbourne Airport’s CEO suggested that multiple airlines connect the South Indian city of Bengaluru (BLR). Multiple studies suggested that this route might have been completed by the end of 2024. Nonetheless, it stays disconnected.
Kuala Lumpur (KUL):
In 2024, Air India (AI) began operating to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) from Delhi (DEL). Air India (AI) is rumored to launch the Bengaluru (BLR)-Kuala Lumpur (KUL) route next. IndiGo (6E) has recently begun flying between Bengaluru (BLR) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
Currently, Air India (AI) flights fly to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) from Delhi (DEL) and stay there for around 11 hours. Air India (AI) might seek to take advantage of this opportunity and establish flights between Bengaluru (BLR) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
Jeddah:
Air India (AI) is expected to connect Jeddah with Bengaluru (BLR) in the coming days. Air India (AI) already operates flights from Jeddah to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM).
Every day, thousands of pilgrims, NRIs living in Saudi Arabia, and business visitors travel between these two towns. aviation India (AI) may aim to connect this important aviation route in order to increase its market share.
Bottom Line
Air India (AI) is undoubtedly preparing for a transformative year in 2025, with ambitious plans to extend its network across key hubs including Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and Bengaluru (BLR).
The airline’s drive to developing new long- and short-haul routes underscores its position as a global aviation leader.
With destinations in the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, Air India hopes to cater to both business and leisure passengers while profiting on unserved and underdeveloped areas.
2025 is guaranteed to be a fascinating year.
