IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The order will help expand IndiGo’s international network to long-haul destinations.
India, the world’s fastest-growing major aviation market, is on the verge of an international travel boom as the economy grows and household incomes rise and the A350 is poised to serve the country’s aspirations for long-range travel.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers 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 players in the aviation industry. 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.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP sales (commercial aircraft), said: “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.”
Bound in a relationship of symbiotic growth with India for more than 50 years, Airbus products and services have catalysed the growth of the country’s civil aviation sector. While the Airbus A320 Family is supporting the democratisation of air travel in India, the A350 has become the reference aircraft to unlock the true potential of the international market for Indian airlines.
IndiGo is among the fastest-growing airlines in the world, and is one of the largest A320 Family customers. The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient wide-body aircraft in the 300-410 seater category. Its new-generation engines and use of lightweight materials bring a 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO
2) emissions, compared to previous-generation competitor aircraft.