IndiGo Airlines, a major player based out of Delhi International, recently smashed the record for the largest single commitment ever in terms of aircraft number, with an astounding new order for 500 Airbus A320neo Family jets. Pieter Elbers, the Chief Executive, couldn’t contain his excitement at the 2023 Paris Air Show, saying, “It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo airlines’ new historic order for 500 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft…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.”
The delivery of these newly ordered aircraft is slated to commence in 2030 and carry on through 2035. As for the specifics of the new order, such as the exact split between variants and engine selection, IndiGo has yet to make a decision. The airline’s CEO has hinted at a potential additional order for long-haul aircraft at the Paris Air Show.
The Current and Future Fleet: What’s on the Horizon
IndiGo is no stranger to the A320neo Family aircraft; it’s already the world’s largest operator with 165 A320neos and eighty-five A321neos in its fleet. Outside of this recent order, IndiGo is awaiting the delivery of an additional 174 A320neos, 236 A321neos, and sixty-nine A321XLRs from Airbus. The rest of IndiGo’s fleet includes twenty-one A320-200s, thirty-nine ATR72-600s, and two A321P2Fs.
Monday saw Airbus secure a record-breaking deal with IndiGo for 500 narrowbody jets, marking the biggest purchase ever by a single airline. The deal came to light on the opening day of the Paris Airshow, overshadowing Air India’s previous combined purchase of 470 jets earlier this year.
India’s Soaring Aviation Market: An Outlook
As Elbers stated, “This is just the beginning, there’s more going forward. With the growth of India (and) the growth of the Indian aviation market … this is the right time for us to place this order.” This order is slated for delivery between 2030 and 2035, positioning IndiGo to significantly bolster their fleet in response to India’s rapidly growing aviation market.
However, this surge of aircraft orders from Indian carriers isn’t without its concerns. Some analysts are wary of the possibility of airlines over-ordering jets in their scramble to cater to the same passenger pool.
Nevertheless, IndiGo’s latest order has put Airbus in a strong position. The airline, which currently accounts for nearly 60% of the Indian domestic market, has chosen to stick with Airbus for its single-aisle jets supply, aiming to leverage further economies of scale. The engine supplier for this latest order is still yet to be decided, though.
Pieter Elbers expressed that this latest order would allow the airline to double in size, although he refrained from commenting on any future plane orders. IndiGo is also engaging in separate discussions with Airbus and rival Boeing for 25 widebody planes.
IndiGo Airlines’ historic order of 500 A320neo Family jets signifies a major move in the aviation industry. As the world recovers from the pandemic’s impact, India’s rapidly expanding aviation market and IndiGo’s strategic decisions could shape the industry’s future. With their sights set on growth, it’s evident that IndiGo is committed to enhancing their fleet and continuing their mission to boost economic growth
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