IndiGo announced a significant expansion of its wide-body fleet on Sunday by placing a firm order for an additional 30 Airbus A350 aircraft. With this, the airline’s total firm orders for the long-range jets has doubled to 60.
New Aircraft Order
The new order came from an existing option for 70 A350s that was part of a firm order for 30 aircraft placed in April of last year. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers confirmed the decision at a briefing in Delhi, stating that 30 of the 70 optional planes are now confirmed orders.
The new order also reflects on IndiGo’s aggressive expansion plans, particularly in the international travel sector. The airline currently boasts over 900 planes on order, slated for delivery in the coming years, signalling a massive scaling up of its operations.
IndiGo is poised to expand its global footprint, aligned with the airline’s international ambitions. The carrier aimed to launch flights to 10 new overseas cities in the current fiscal year, which would conclude in March 2026. These new international routes would be operated using leased Boeing 787 planes, with an immediate boost to its long-haul capabilities while awaiting the delivery of its growing A350 fleet.
Why leasing planes?
Reportedly, the airline has turned to leasing aircraft to address delivery backlogs and enhance its international reach. It recently revealed plans to lease six Boeing 787 wide-body jets from Norse Atlantic Airways, expected by early next year.
(With PTI Inputs)