IndiGo Places A Fresh Order For 30 New Airbus A350-900 Aircraft to Expand Its Market Presence On Lucrative Routes- Check Full Details (image source: Canva)
IndiGo, India’s largest airline and budget carrier has made a move towards transforming itself into a dominant player in long-haul travel by placing an order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This order signals to expand its reach beyond short-haul routes.
Indigo Order Details
In addition to the initial order, IndiGo has purchase rights for another 70 planes, with deliveries set to commence in 2027. At a list price of USD 12 billion, IndiGo expanded its fleet and market presence. The move positions IndiGo to directly compete with rivals like Air India and prominent Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.
The Airbus A350-900 aircraft’s capability to fly for 16–17 hours opens up opportunities for IndiGo to operate on lucrative North American routes, enhancing its competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.
While specifics about the configuration of the wide-body aircraft are yet to be disclosed, IndiGo has initiated efforts to introduce premium services on its short-haul A320 aircraft. This includes the introduction of a premium class, offering amenities such as spacious seating, hot meals, and loyalty programs, catering to the growing demand from business travelers.
IndiGo’s success in the domestic market with its no-frills model has positioned it as a market leader, capturing a significant share of India’s domestic air travel. However, recognizing the need to expand its market presence globally, IndiGo is now transitioning towards offering premium services and targeting the international market.
Industry Outlook
Aviation experts foresee Indian carriers, including IndiGo, playing a more significant role in the long and ultra-long-haul segments. This move is expected to bring greater competition to international markets and rebalance the passenger traffic ratio, which currently heavily favors domestic travel.
IndiGo’s selection of the Airbus A350-900 was influenced by its commonality with the existing fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 planes. This common design facilitates operational efficiencies, enabling seamless pilot and engineer transitions between aircraft types.
The new A350 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engine, reflecting the company’s commitment to the Indian market and its anticipation of significant growth in air travel.
