IndiGo places order for 500 Airbus aircraft
01 Jul 2023
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IndiGo, India’s second largest airline after Vistara, is planning big expansion with firm orders for 500 Airbus A320 aircraft. The order will provide IndiGo with a steady stream of deliveries between 2030 and 2035.
This 500 aircraft order is not only IndiGo’s largest order, but also the largest-ever single aircraft purchase by any airline with Airbus.
IndiGo has not finalised the exact mix of A320 and A321 aircraft or the engine requirements for the aircraft. This, according to the airline, will be done in due course.
IndiGo has previous orders 480 aircraft - a mix of A320NEO, A321NEO and A321XLR models - that are yet to be delivered. The current order takes the total to nearly a 1,000 aircraft. These aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2030 and 2035
The evaluation of the offers was shared and discussed with IndiGo’s Board, and consequently endorsed.
IndiGo, which currently operates over 300 aircraft, has so far placed orders for a total of 1.330 aircraft with Airbus, since its inception in 2006.
The fuel-efficient A320NEO Family aircraft will allow IndiGo to maintain its strong focus on lowering operating costs and delivering fuel efficiency with high standards of reliability. The young and fuel- efficient fleet will help IndiGo realise its sustainability ambitions, building on the already realised CO2 reduction of 21 per cent between FY16 and FY23, according to the airline.
This year IndiGo expects to welcome 100 million customers on board. IndiGo is amongst the fastest growing airlines in the world and this order will allow it to continue this growth for many years to come.
IndiGo also expects to reap the fruits of a fast growing Indian economy, which is expected to further grow from the world’s fifth largest at present to the third largest before the end of this decade. Prime Minister Modi has also stated his mission to ensure that by 2030 India comes into her own on the world stage of aviation leadership by building cutting-edge infrastructure and developing India into a global aviation hub.
The purchase agreement was signed alongside the Paris Air Show on 19 June 2023.
“It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo’s new historic order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. An orderbook now of almost 1.000 aircraft well into the next decade, enables IndiGo to fulfill its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion and mobility in India, “said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo.
“At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline for connectivity in and with India; and by doing so, being one of the leading airlines in the world. This order strongly reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in the growth of India, in the A320 Family and in our strategic partnership with Airbus.”
With its fleet of over 300 aircraft, IndiGo operates well over 1.800 daily flights, connecting 78 domestic destinations and expects to further grow its international footprint to 32 international destinations.
