- Landed in India on December 29, 2025
- Started commercial operations to Bhubaneshwar from Delhi, operating IX1061
Air India Express, the fully owned subsidiary of Air India, has started commercial operations with its 51st MAX, which is also the first line fit 737-8 MAX aircraft for the airline. Air India Express took delivery of VT-RNT on December 29, 2025. This is the first of the 140 custom-configured Boeing aircraft. The first 50 MAX which joined Air India Express were all white tails meant for Chinese carriers which had not taken them amidst the two deadly crashes with the MAX and subsequent grounding. VT-RNT is a tribute to group patriarch Ratan Tata, with parent Air India also having a registration VT-RTN assumed to be a tribute as well. Air India Express also has VT-JRT in its fleet, which was a tribute to JRD Tata done by AirAsia India where the Tata group had 49% stake initially, later buying out the stake of AirAsia Bhd. VT-JRD was named “The Pioneer”, while VT-RNT was named “The Visionary”.
VT-RNT has “Parsi Gara” on its tail, an intricate Parsi embroidery style. The line-fit aircraft incorporates a comprehensive set of enhancements consistent with the new branding. The cabin features ergonomically designed seats with comfortable cushioning, generous legroom, and fast-charging power outlet in each seat. It also has onboard ovens for hot ‘Gourmair’ meals, larger overhead bins for cabin baggage, a quieter cabin environment and Boeing’s Sky Interior with soothing mood lighting, creating a modern and welcoming cabin environment. The airline is reconfiguring its previous 50 aircraft to its own standards and will happen over the next couple of months. VT-RNT reached India from Seattle via Reykjavik and Kuwait City. The first aircraft was inducted in September 2023.
Air India Express started commercial services with VT-RNT on January 06, 2026, eighth day post landing in Delhi. The aircraft was taxied from a remote apron near Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 from where Air India Express operates at New Delhi. Subsequently, the aircraft was deployed to Bhubaneshwar as IX1061. The flight landed before time at Bhubaneshwar.
Network Thoughts
Air India Express has launched many new routes in the past two years but has not sustained many of them. As it inducts more planes, the airline is at the forefront of taking on IndiGo on non-metro routes within India and selective routes on the international front, which are not being served by Air India.
The reconfiguration of its MAX aircraft, along with long term clarity on the fleet plans will help the airline reduce its costs further. Currently it has the A321neo, A320neo, A320ceo, B737NG and MAX 8 in its fleet of just over 100 aircraft, a combination which is not ideal for a low cost carrier.
With Boeing increasing production, Air India Express will get a steady stream of aircraft from the factory which will help with expansion and retiring the older planes helping take on competition in both domestic and international skies.
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