"These no-frills and low-fare flights will be launched after taking the delivery of four Boeing 747-800 aircraft. This acquisition will take Air-India Express' fleet to a total of seven aircraft," S Venkat, company secretary, Air-India, said.

The airline is also planning to step up services from Kerala to the Gulf in its summer schedule. "This includes delinking of services to Abudhabi and Muscat from Kerala. Now, the airline will have separate services to these destinations," he said.

Venkat pointed out that Air-India Express is in the process of standardising the departure timing from the destinations in the Gulf.

"The airline will introduce standard timing of departure, which will make things easier for passengers and the airline," he said.

Meanwhile, A-I has constituted an internal committee to finalise BFE (buyer-furnished equipment) process. The process means choosing various parts required for 68 Boeing aircraft, which the airline is going to acquire.

"The committee is finalising the international vendors for purchasing the materials such as seats, aircraft galley equipment, interior equipment, inflight catering equipment, light systems and communication systems," sources said.

A-I would later inform the Boeing Company on the selection of international vendors.