ixigo bets on AI, hotel expansion as flights become its largest business segment


Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, MD & Group CEO of Le Travenues Technology, which operates travel platform ixigo, expects its AI-led transformation and expansion across travel categories to support future growth even as geopolitical tensions, higher airfares and railway policy changes continue to impact the sector.

He said the company is focusing on AI-native travel services, hotel expansion and diversified travel offerings to strengthen growth momentum in FY27. Bajpai said demand trends remain strong despite disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis, high oil prices and operational changes in the railway ecosystem.

Bajpai said ixigo recently launched ‘Ixigo NEXT’, an AI-native interface designed to automate travel-related tasks for users. According to Bajpai, the platform can compare fares, complete check-ins, generate boarding passes and even reconfirm hotel bookings using AI-driven tools.
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The company is also integrating AI more deeply into its internal operations and product development process. Bajpai said the move could improve execution speed, customer experience and operating leverage over time. “We are putting AI at the heart of how we do things inside the organisation,” he said.

Despite pressure on the travel sector from high crude oil prices and international disruptions, ixigo said domestic travel trends remain supportive. Bajpai noted that some travellers are shifting from flights to buses and trains because of higher airfares, while international travellers are increasingly choosing domestic destinations. “That is a net positive for us, because we are a very domestic-focused company,” he said.

The company also highlighted a major shift in its business mix. Flights have now overtaken railways as ixigo’s largest business category by gross transaction value (GTV), while buses have become the biggest contributor to margins. Bajpai added that hotels are emerging as the company’s next growth segment and may contribute more meaningfully in the future.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video

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Bajpai said ixigo is positioning itself as a partner for artificial intelligence platforms and large language model companies rather than viewing them as a threat. The company has partnered with OpenAI to enable travel searches and bookings through ChatGPT. “We’re using it as an opportunity,” Bajpai said, adding that integrating AI capabilities directly into ixigo’s app could help retain customers within its ecosystem.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of ₹7,418.45 crore, while its shares have remained largely flat over the past year.

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