Air India ramps up South Asia services
Air India is boosting its presence across South Asia with a wave of new services to three key regional destinations, responding to what it called strong passenger demand, and aiming to improve onward connectivity for international travellers.
From 7 July 2025, the airline will increase its frequencies to Kathmandu, Colombo and Bangkok, adding more than 7,000 weekly seats across these high-traffic routes.
The move includes a second daily service between Delhi and Colombo, raising weekly flights from seven to 14, and a third daily rotation between Mumbai and Bangkok on certain days, bringing that city pair to 18 flights a week.
Kathmandu will also benefit, with Delhi gaining a sixth daily flight, increasing the airline’s service from 35 to 42 weekly departures.
The additional flights to Bangkok and Kathmandu will be operated using Air India’s upgraded narrowbody aircraft fitted with a three-class cabin layout, including a dedicated Premium Economy section.
Services to Colombo will continue to be operated by the airline’s widebody fleet.
“Air India’s flights to Colombo, Kathmandu, and Bangkok provide seamless one-stop connectivity to and from destinations in North America, Europe, and the Far East,” the airline said in its announcement.
Bookings for the expanded schedule are now available across all Air India channels.
How does this fit in with Air India’s strategy?
Air India is undergoing a significant transformation under Tata Group ownership, focusing on modernising its fleet and expanding its international reach.
As of mid-2025, the airline operates a fleet of 191 aircraft, including Airbus A320neo, A321neo, A350-900, and Boeing 777 and 787 models.
To support its growth strategy, Air India has placed orders for 374 additional aircraft, comprising both narrow-body and wide-body types, aimed at enhancing its global connectivity and service offerings.
The airline’s route strategy emphasises strengthening its presence in key international markets.
Air India is set to launch non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila starting October 2025, becoming the only carrier to offer direct service on this route. These developments align with Air India’s objective to enhance connectivity between India and major global destinations, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
Through fleet modernisation and strategic route expansion, Air India aims to reestablish itself as a leading global carrier, offering improved services and broader connectivity after a tricky few years in which it has suffered from a lack of investment.
