Boeing says strong demand for Dreamliner in India, expects more orders

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is expecting strong demand for its Dreamliner aircraft in India. In an interview with news agency PTI, Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte said the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a very promising future in India. He said the company is hopeful of receiving more orders for the wide-body aircraft as the market continues to grow.

 

Gupte added that global demand for the 787 has been very strong and that Boeing expects this trend to continue in the coming years. Last year, the company delivered 14 Dreamliner aircraft to different airlines worldwide.

How many Boeing Dreamliners are operated in India?

In India, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners are mainly operated by Air India. The airline is set to start commercial operations of its first custom-built Dreamliner delivered after privatisation from February 1. According to PTI, Air India currently has 33 Dreamliners in its fleet. These include 26 older Boeing 787-8 aircraft, six Boeing 787-9 planes that came from Vistara, and one newly delivered aircraft.

 

In addition, IndiGo operates a limited number of Dreamliners that it has taken on lease from Norse Atlantic Airways.

2025 difficult year for Dreamliner

Gupte noted that 2025 had been particularly challenging for Dreamliner. On June 12 last year, an Air India Dreamliner operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off. The accident claimed 260 lives and marked the first fatal crash involving a Dreamliner aircraft. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is currently investigating the incident.

 

Stating that the investigation is ongoing, Gupte said that they will wait for the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to release its findings. He said there is little that manufacturers can comment on while the probe is underway. In recent years, Boeing has also faced regulatory challenges, including scrutiny related to its Dreamliner aircraft.

US tariff concerns

Speaking on tariff-related issues between India and the US, Gupte said both countries share a common goal of building up India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. He expressed confidence that Boeing would be able to manage short-term hurdles.

 

He said Boeing has operated for a century and has worked through many global challenges, including wars, conflicts, financial crises and economic disruptions. Gupte said issues such as tariffs or temporary financial pressures do not impact long-term business growth. He added that as economies develop, air travel naturally increases, and Boeing remains confident about navigating present challenges.

Competition with Airbus

On rising competition from European rival Airbus, Gupte said competition is a normal part of the aviation industry. He stressed that aircraft are ultimately tools that airlines use to serve their passengers.

 

Gupte said Boeing believes the number of routes and missions Indian airlines will want to operate using the 787 Dreamliner will continue to expand. He added that the aircraft is well-suited to a wide range of network possibilities that Indian carriers are likely to explore in the future.