Until this point, IndiGo had predominantly utilized narrow-body Airbus aircraft, supplemented by just two Boeing 777 planes leased from Turkish Airlines specifically for the Istanbul route. However, signalling a strategic shift towards international markets, India’s leading airline, IndiGo, announced on Thursday its order for 30 wide-body A350-900 aircraft as part of its expansion plans.
The statement said, “IndiGo agreed to place an order for 30 Firm A350-900 aircraft, which will enable IndiGo to spread its wings further and expand its network. From the various Indian metros, IndiGo will be able to connect to the world.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus’s EVP of sales for commercial aircraft, remarked, “With the A350 selection, IndiGo is now embarking on further opening the world to India. We will support the airline to take this pioneering and strategic step.” Reports indicate that up until this point, the airline has primarily operated narrow-body Airbus aircraft, with only two Boeing 777 planes leased from Turkish Airlines for the Istanbul route. The newly ordered planes will come equipped with Rolls Royce’s Trent XWB engine.
IndiGo, boasting a fleet of over 350 aircraft, made waves last June with the largest single aircraft order in aviation history, securing 500 planes from Airbus. This substantial addition brings the company’s order book to nearly 1,000 A320 Family aircraft, including variants such as the A320NEO, A321NEO, and A321XLR, all slated for delivery into the next decade.
“This new order will bring the strategic relationship between IndiGo and Airbus to an unprecedented level in terms of depth, breadth, and size. For the relationship between IndiGo and Rolls Royce, this marks the beginning of a new, long and fruitful relationship,” IndiGo added further.
The air carrier stated that the specific configuration of the aircraft will be decided later, with deliveries expected to begin from 2027. In addition to the confirmed order for 30 A350-900 aircraft, IndiGo also holds purchase rights for an additional 70 Airbus A350 Family planes, which it can exercise depending on specific conditions and future needs.
