India’s largest airline, IndiGo has ordered 300 planes worth $33 billion. It is Airbus’s largest order from a single airline. The airline is looking to expand its international network with the long-range, fuel-efficient planes.
Indigo said on Tuesday October 29 that it has placed an order for 300 Airbus A320neo family aircraft worth $33 billion at the most recent list prices.
This is Airbus’s largest aircraft order from a single airline and will take IndiGo’s total number of narrow-body A320neo family aircraft orders to 730, the Indian company said.
IndiGo’s latest order includes the new A321XLR long-range planes that can travel as far as 4,700 nautical miles (nm), or 8,700km, without refuelling.
The long-range, fuel-efficient planes will boost IndiGo’s plans to expand its international network. The A321XLR, which has the longest range for a single-aisle aircraft, will be delivered to customers only after 2023.
Breaking: Airbus receive HUGE firm order from India’s IndiGo — for 300 A320neo Family aircraft.
— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) October 29, 2019
• @IndiGo6E order comprises a mix of A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR aircraft — a very significant fleet expansion. #aviation pic.twitter.com/SYtNkRjG2D
The low-cost airline also said that, the A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR.
The aircraft will deliver an unprecedented extra long range of up to 4,700nm, with 30% lower fuel burn per seat.
Indigo’s loss and previous orders
In contrast, the proposed order comes on the back of IndiGo reporting a loss of ₹1,062 crore for the second quarter ended September.
The IndiGo website shows that the airline currently has a fleet of 247 Airbus and operates 1,400 daily flights, connecting 60 domestic and 23 international destinations.
Moreover, IndiGo has been operating Airbus aircraft and has been ordering a large number of aircraft in every order. The airline created history when, as a start-up, it ordered 100 A-320 aircraft.
However, in the year 2011, the low-cost airline had placed an order for 180 Airbus aircraft at a deal then valued at $15.6 billion, to be delivered to the airline till 2025.
Indian budget airline IndiGo orders 300 planes from Airbus in a near-record deal worth around $33 billion https://t.co/b4Yfn70FAN pic.twitter.com/AnBX5BrEjt
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 29, 2019
