India’s largest airline, IndiGo has placed a firm order with Airbus for 30 Airbus A350 widebodies as it looks to expand its international long-haul network.
The order comes ahead of an expected boom in international travel from India which is already the fastest growing aviation market in the world.
IndiGo’s order consists of 30 A350-900 airliners which have a range of 15,372 km carrying up to 350 passengers.
IndoGo CEO Pieter Elbers commented: “Today’s historic moment marks a new chapter for IndiGo and will further shape the future of the airline and for Indian aviation at the same time. For IndiGo, after successfully pioneering the Indian skies with an unprecedented journey, its fleet of 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft will allow IndiGo to embark on its next phase of becoming one of the leading global aviation players.
“At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline and for offering connectivity to our customers, in and with India. This reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in, and commitment to, the growth of India, and in our strategic partnership with Airbus,”
The Delhi-based airline is already a big operator of Airbus aircraft having one of the largest A320 family fleets in the world and the A350, with its cleats-leading efficiency, will help the airline take advantage of the growth in international travel to and from India.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft added: “A heartfelt thank you to IndiGo for putting its trust in Airbus once again, and to our respective teams who negotiated this agreement for 30 A350s. IndiGo’s first widebody order opens an exciting new chapter in our close partnership.
“We are proud that our fuel-efficient, next-generation A320 Family revolutionised domestic air travel in India, and that now the A350 is poised to replicate the same success on long-haul routes,”
IndiGo currently operates 171 Airbus A320 and 84 Airbus A321 aircraft along with 45 ATR 72s and two Boeing 777’s, which at 16 years old, will likely be replaced by the A350’s.
