Boeing expects more Dreamliner orders from India amid tariff concerns
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is expecting more orders for its Dreamliners in the Indian market, which is eyeing significant growth in the coming years, according to a report by PTI quoting a senior company executive.
At a time when US-imposed tariff concerns persist, Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte underlined the common goal of industrializing India’s aerospace industry. He expressed confidence that the aircraft maker can overcome some of these short-term hurdles.
In India, Air India operates Boeing 787, also called Dreamliners. The airline’s first custom-made Dreamliner after privatization, which was introduced in January 2022, is planned to start commercial flights as of February 1.
“The B787 has an extremely bright future in India… We are looking forward to potentially more orders coming in for the 787 in India,” Gupte told PTI in an interview.
Air India operates 33 Dreamliners, including 26 older B787-8s, six B787-9s from Vistara and the latest model.
IndiGo also operates some Dreamliners leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
Air India plane crash
On June 12 last year, Air India Dreamliner flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off, killing 260 people, which was also the first fatal accident involving a Dreamliner. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash.
In this context, Gupte stated that 2025 will be a difficult year 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… Of course, this will continue as it relates to the crash investigation and we are waiting for 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.
Recently Boeing has faced regulatory issues, including with the Dreamliner.
Details on global demand
Gupte said global demand for the B787S is incredibly strong and we expect this to continue in the coming years.
Boeing delivered 14 B787 aircraft to different airlines in 2025.
Referring to the increasing competition of Airbus, Gupte stated that competition in the sector is natural and emphasized that “aircrafts are the tools of our customers to serve 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.
Tariff concerns
On tariff issues, he said Boeing has been around for 100 years and has operated under a wide range of conditions, including world wars, conflicts, financial crises and other challenges.
“Whether it’s tariffs, financial crisis or anything else, it doesn’t impact business growth in the long run… as societies develop, one of the things they do is travel more. We’re confident we can overcome some of these short-term challenges,” Gupte said.
Boeing operates more than 265 commercial and military aircraft in India, a key market for the aircraft maker. The company cooperates with more than 325 suppliers from the country with an annual resource value of more than $1.25 billion. Vistara and GoAir companies’ fleets include Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, as well as Boeing aircraft.
