Indian Airlines: International Flights

Indian airlines represent a vital part of the country’s air transportation system, offering domestic and international connectivity. Here’s an overview of the major Indian airlines:

1. Air India

• Founded: 1932 (as Tata Airlines)
• Hub: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
• Ownership: Government of India (now merged with Tata Group after the privatization in 2022)
• Fleet Size: One of the largest in India with a mix of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft.
• International & Domestic: Air India offers both domestic and international flights, with a significant presence on long-haul international routes.

2. IndiGo (Largest Indian airline)

• Founded: 2006
• Hub: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (main hub), multiple others.
• Ownership: Private
• Fleet Size: Largest Indian airline in India by fleet size and number of passengers flown.
• Domestic & International: Primarily focuses on domestic routes but also offers international services to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

3. SpiceJet

• Founded: 2005
• Hub: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
• Ownership: Private
• Fleet Size: A budget airline, focusing mainly on domestic routes and short-haul international services.
• Domestic & International: Known for low-cost fares, it operates both domestic and select international routes.

4. Vistara (Now Air India)

November 12, 2024, Air India completed its merger with Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, creating a larger airline under the Air India brand. 

• Founded: 2013 (A joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines)
• Hub: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
• Ownership: Joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines
• Fleet Size: Premium full-service airline
• Domestic & International: Offers both domestic and international flights with an emphasis on service quality and a premium experience.

5. AirAsia India (Merged into Air India Express on October 1, 2023)

• Founded: 2014
• Hub: Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
• Ownership: A joint venture between Tata Group and AirAsia
• Fleet Size: Low-cost carrier focused on offering affordable flights
• Domestic & International: Primarily operates domestic routes with some international connections to Southeast Asia.

6. Air India Express

• Founded: 2005
• Hub: Kochi International Airport
• Ownership: A subsidiary of Air India
• Fleet Size: Focuses mainly on budget-friendly international flights
• Domestic & International: Operates international flights, especially from South India to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

7. Alliance Air

• Founded: 1996
• Hub: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
• Ownership: A subsidiary of Air India
• Fleet Size: Operates smaller aircraft primarily for regional routes.
• Domestic: Focuses mainly on regional and underserved routes within India.

Key Features of Indian Airlines:

• Affordability: Low-cost carriers (such as IndiGo, GoFirst, SpiceJet) provide budget-friendly options for domestic and international travel.
• Airline Alliances: Some airlines, like Vistara (a member of the Singapore Airlines group), are part of global airline alliances like Star Alliance.
• Expansion: Many airlines are continuously expanding both domestically and internationally as India’s middle class grows and air travel becomes more affordable.
• Government Support: Historically, Air India had been government-owned, though it was privatized recently. The government still plays a role in supporting regional connectivity through schemes like the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) initiative, which aims to make air travel more affordable and accessible in remote and regional areas.