Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has placed a firm order for 30 A350-900 aircraft, in a move which it said would put it “further on the path of becoming a global aviation player”.
The airline currently operates a fleet of around 350 mainly Airbus A320 Family aircraft, with hundreds of additional A320and A321neos also on order.
IndiGo’s first widebodied order also includes purchase rights for a further 70 A350 Family aircraft.
Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2027, giving the carrier time to decided where it will deploy the aircraft. For now the airline said simply that “From the various Indian metros, IndiGo will be able to connect to the world”.
It’s also not yet clear how the low-cost carrier will configure the A350s, with IndiGo stating that this will be decided at a later stage.
Forum users have already started to speculate where the airline might flying the aircraft to – to join in the discussion click here.
The new follows orders for nearly 500 Airbus and Boeing aircraft by Air India last year – the carrier took delivery of its first A350-900 in December.
Commenting on the news IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers (former president and CEO of KLM), said:
“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.”
