Boeing Sees "Extremely Bright Future" for 787 Dreamliner in India Market

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has an "extremely bright future" in India, according to a senior company executive.

Salil Gupte, Boeing India and South Asia President, anticipates more orders for the wide-body aircraft. This confidence is rooted in the substantial Indian aviation market growth expected in the coming years.

Market Outlook and Fleet Expansion

Boeing forecasts India's commercial aircraft fleet will nearly quadruple by 2043. This expansion will require approximately 2,100 new aircraft over two decades. The wide-body fleet, crucial for long-haul international routes, is expected to quadruple. The B787 is considered ideal for this growing network of possibilities.

Air India Dreamliner fleet currently operates 33 Dreamliners in India. This includes 26 legacy B787-8s and seven B787-9 variants. Six B787-9s were integrated from Vistara’s fleet, plus one new delivery. The airline's first custom-built Dreamliner post-privatisation is starting commercial operations on February 1.

IndiGo also uses the Dreamliner for its long-haul expansion efforts. The carrier operates some B787s taken on lease from Norse Atlantic Airways. This move highlights the immediate need for wide-body capacity in the market.

Addressing Challenges and Competition

Mr. Gupte acknowledged that 2025 was a challenging year for the manufacturer. This followed a reported fatal accident involving an Air India Dreamliner on June 12 last year. The executive noted that the victims and their families remain foremost in mind.

• The Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently probing the crash.
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) cannot comment further on the ongoing investigation.

Boeing has also faced recent regulatory issues with the Dreamliner program globally. Despite these hurdles, global demand for the B787 remains robust. Last year, Boeing delivered 14 B787s to various airlines worldwide.

Geopolitical and Industrial Goals

Competition from rival manufacturer Airbus is a natural industry factor. Gupte stressed that aircraft serve as tools for customer service. He also addressed the ongoing US-India tariff issues and other short-term challenges.

Boeing has operated for over 100 years through various global crises. He remains confident the company will see through these temporary issues. The long-term growth of the business is not affected by short-term tariffs.

Boeing emphasizes the shared aerospace industrialisation goal between the two nations. India is a key market, with over 265 commercial and military Boeing aircraft operating. The company’s annual sourcing from India exceeds USD 1.25 billion. Other Indian carriers like Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet also operate Boeing planes.

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