Air India is planning to expand operations for the upcoming summer schedule (beginning April), taking its number of flights to over 400 from 380 at present in a bid to garner more revenues from profitable routes.

In addition to introducing new international flights the airline will also start operations on the low-cost model on routes serviced exclusively by budget airlines in order to increase market share. 

In April, the airline will introduce for the first time daily flights between Vizag and Dubai via Hyderabad and those between Delhi and Bahrain via Abu Dhabi.

Further, the frequency of the Delhi-Tokyo flight will be increased to five times a week from four at present and the Delhi-Dammam flight will become a daily operation from twice a week at present.

"The new introductions and the launch of low cost operations on some domestic routes will help the airline generate better revenues," senior AI officials said on conditions of anonymity.

The airline has also started operations on the low-cost model by removing business class seats from on the 34 Airbus aircraft in its fleet in an effort to align itself further with the market and to enhance its revenues. With this, Air India will start flight services on routes serviced only by low-cost carriers.

"As the market is moving the low cost way the occupancy in economy class has been growing, while that in business class has been on the decline. We are not exiting the business class segment but aligning ourselves to the demands of the market," said an AI official explaining the rationale behind the decision.

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