Dreamliners have bright future in India; expect more orders: Boeing

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is expecting more orders for its Dreamliners in the Indian market, which is poised for significant growth in the coming years, according to a senior company executive.

Amid ongoing tariff issues between India and the US, Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte emphasized the two countries’ aim to industrialize Indian aviation and gave confidence that the aircraft maker can overcome some of these short-term challenges.

Boeing 787 aircraft, also known as Dreamliners in India, are operated by Air India. The airline’s first custom-built Dreamliner after privatization in January 2022 is planned to begin commercial operations from February 1.

“The B787 has an extremely bright future in India… We look forward to potentially more orders for the 787 in India,” Mr. Gupte said. PTI in an interview.

Air India has 33 Dreamliners in its fleet; 26 old B787-8s, six B787-9s from Vistara and new aircraft.

IndiGo also operates some Dreamliners leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.

On June 12 last year, Air India Dreamliner flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off, killing 260 people, and this was also the first fatal accident involving a Dreamliner. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash.

In this context, Mr. Gupte said that it is a difficult year (2025) for Boeing. “… When we think of the Air India AI171 crash, we naturally think of the families of the victims, the victims and all their loved ones.

“As far as the accident investigation is concerned, it will of course continue and we expect the AAIB of India to release its report. But beyond that, there is not much that any of the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) can comment on,” he said.

In recent years, Boeing has faced regulatory issues, including with its Dreamliners.

Gupte said global demand for B787s is incredibly strong and is expected to continue in the coming years.

Last year, Boeing delivered 14 B787s to various airlines.

Responding to a question about increasing competition from Airbus, Mr. Gupte said competition was natural in the industry, emphasizing that “airplanes are our customers’ means of serving their customers.”

“We believe that the number of routes and missions that our customers here will want to fly will increase for the B787. And we think there is a wide range of possibilities where the B787 would be ideal,” he said.

Regarding tariff issues, he said Boeing has existed for more than 100 years, operating under a wide range of conditions, including world wars, conflicts, financial crises and other challenges.

“Whether it’s a tariff, a financial crisis, something else, it doesn’t affect business growth in the long run… As societies develop, one of the things they do is travel more…

“We are confident that we can overcome some of these short-term challenges,” Mr. Gupte said.

Boeing has over 265 commercial and military aircraft operating in India, a key market for the aircraft manufacturer. The company has more than 325 suppliers, and annual supplies from the country are valued at over $1.25 billion.

Apart from Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet also have Boeing aircraft in their fleets.

It was published – 26 January 2026 13:39 IST