- NEW DELHI —
Low-cost airline IndiGo on Sunday announced an MoU with Airbus to enlarge its
wide-body aircraft order by converting 30 aircraft of its purchase rights for
70 aircraft into a firm order.
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- This is yet another step in defining the airline’s long-term
plans of international expansion.
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- "We are placing a firm order for 30 Airbus
A350-900s," said Pieter Elbers, the CEO of IndiGo. At a briefing in the
national capital, Elbers said that out of the option for 70 planes, it is now
placing a firm order of 30 aircraft.
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- Last year, IndiGo took the strategic decision to induct
widebody aircraft in its fleet by placing a firm order for 30 A350-900
aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 70 aircraft.
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- The original order’s deliveries are expected to start in
2027.
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- "We will continue to add one aircraft a week to double
by the end of the decade," said the IndiGo CEO.
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- This strategic move will enable IndiGo to spread its wings
further and expand its long-haul international network, connecting Indian
metros to different parts of the world.
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- “With this, it will create more travel options for its
customers to new international destinations and also enable more flights to the
hubs of its partner airlines,” the airline said in a statement.
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- IndiGo’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft will be powered by Rolls
Royce’s Trent XWB engine.
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- The mission capability of this aircraft, coupled with the
efficiency of the Trent XWB engine, will offer IndiGo unprecedented optionality
and reach as it embarks on the next stage of its wonderful journey of
addressing the rapidly evolving needs of the Indian market.
