(Commonwealth_India) Fuel prices are increasing, carbon emissions are being closely monitored, and airlines around the world are being urged to operate more efficiently. For Air India Group, this challenge has turned into an opportunity to rethink how it operates and to do it in a way that’s better for passengers, the planet, and the airline itself.
At the heart of this effort are two cutting-edge digital tools from SITA—OptiFlight® and eWAS. These systems are already in action across Air India’s Airbus A320s and Air India Express’s Boeing 737s, helping hundreds of flights take off every day more efficiently and responsibly. Widebody planes will soon join in. Once fully rolled out, these tools are expected to cut 35,000 tons of carbon emissions each year, proof that small improvements on every flight can add up to a big difference.
OptiFlight is all about helping planes climb smarter. Its key feature, OptiClimb, looks at past flights, aircraft specifics, and live weather to create the most efficient climb after takeoff—the part of a flight that uses the most fuel. The result is smoother, more fuel-efficient ascents that don’t compromise safety. Each flight may save only a little fuel, but multiply that across hundreds of flights, and the impact is enormous.
eWAS, on the other hand, helps pilots take on one of aviation’s greatest challenges: the weather. With real-time updates and predictive forecasts, pilots can avoid turbulence, navigate storms, and adjust their routes on the fly. Passengers get calmer, safer flights, and the airline benefits from fewer delays, lower costs, and fewer emissions.
“This is exactly the kind of intelligent solution the aviation industry needs right now,” says Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “Air India’s use of OptiFlight® and eWAS shows how technology can do more than save fuel; it can make every flight smarter and greener.”
Basil Kwauk, Air India’s Chief Operations Officer, adds: “Sustainability and efficiency aren’t just side projects for us, they’re central to our vision of becoming a world-class airline. With these tools, we’re modernizing our operations and taking meaningful steps to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Together, these technologies give pilots a smarter, data-driven edge. For passengers, it’s about safer, smoother journeys. For Air India, it’s about lower costs, more efficient flights, and a smaller environmental footprint. And for the planet, it’s a step toward cleaner skies. Air India’s embrace of innovation shows that flying greener doesn’t mean compromising safety or performance; it’s about making every flight smarter, safer, and more sustainable.
