Air India Express is the dark horse in the Air India Group, which keeps its head under and working without any expectations to be in the limelight or get any of the glory of the resurgence of the airline group. However, with a massive aircraft order book, the airline is slated for prime time to compete with stalwart IndiGo and make Air India Express a more significant player in Indian aviation.

Air India Express to operate the first flight with the MAX on October 19, 2023

In what could be a statement of intent, Air India Express has filed the first flight of the MAX right after the event that will showcase the future of Air India Express, along with its new look and feel, to the media and partners of the airline on October 18, 2023, in Mumbai.

Air India Express’ website shows a flight to be operated by Air India Express (not AirAsia India, but the mother brand), using its 737-8 to fly out from Mumbai and arrive in Delhi in the wee hours of October 19, 2023. This could have been a ferry flight to bring the aircraft to Delhi and then press it into operations, but in true no-frill airline style, AIX is also selling seats on this flight.

Why does this stand out? Air India Express usually does not operate between Delhi and Mumbai, and even in how things are envisioned in the group, the LCC will fly the non-trunk routes (eventually). The trail goes cold after this flight, but I’m sure more flights will start turning up soon with Air India Express operations on the 737-8 aircraft.

Both the Air India Express aircraft are currently in Hyderabad, so we are curious if both will be flown to Mumbai for the reveal or just one. And even if both aircraft are flying to Mumbai, one plane takes flying duties while the other sits pretty in the hangar to be wowed by those who attend.

If you plan on flying between Mumbai and Delhi and do not mind a red-eye flight, you should be on this one to be a part of history and the new plane smell.

Bottomline

Air India Express will induct the Boeing 737-8 into its fleet and operate its first flight between Mumbai and Delhi on October 19, 2023. The flight is available for sale on the Air India Express website, and you can book it from there.

How will Air India Express differentiate itself from other carriers in India’s LCC space?

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