As of April 2024, IndiGo operates over 350 aircraft. In June 2023, IndiGo made history by placing the largest single aircraft order ever by an airline, ordering 500 planes from Airbus.
NEW DELHI (India CSR): IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, is poised to make a significant move in the global aviation industry by reportedly planning to confirm an order for 40 additional Airbus A350 aircraft, ET reports. This potential order would complement its existing commitment for 30 A350-900 wide-body jets, potentially bringing its total firm A350 orders to 100. As of July 2025, IndiGo operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft, primarily Airbus A320 family planes, and has an order book of nearly 1,400 aircraft.
Since its inception in 2006, IndiGo has been successfully building its position and is now defining its future further on the path of becoming a global aviation player, the company said.
With its fleet of over 400 aircraft, the airline is operating around 2200 daily flights, connecting more than 90 domestic and 40 plus international destinations, inducted 58 aircraft in 2024 and welcomed over 118 million customers in FY25.
IndiGo Eyes Growth Amid Crisis
The recent Air India crash has created a vacuum in passenger confidence and operational capacity in Indian aviation. IndiGo, with its strong safety record and expanding fleet, is well-positioned to fill this gap. By enhancing its domestic and international connectivity, accelerating its wide-body aircraft deployment, and emphasizing its commitment to safety and reliability, IndiGo can attract passengers seeking dependable travel options. The airline may also strengthen its brand through proactive communication, flexible policies, and superior service delivery. This moment presents IndiGo with a strategic opportunity to reinforce its leadership in India’s aviation sector and expand its global footprint responsibly.
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IndiGo’s Current Fleet and Order Book
IndiGo has solidified its position as India’s leading airline since its establishment in 2006. As of March 2025, the airline operates a fleet of 437 aircraft, predominantly narrow-body Airbus A320 family planes, including A320-200, A320neo, and A321neo models. It also operates ATR 72-600 turboprops for regional routes and has ventured into cargo operations with three Airbus A321 freighter variants.
For long-haul operations, IndiGo currently relies on wet-leased wide-body aircraft, including two Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines and six Boeing 787s from Norse Atlantic Airways, with the latter’s inaugural flight on March 1, 2025.
IndiGo’s order book is one of the largest in the aviation industry, reflecting its ambitious growth plans.
Key orders include:
- June 2005: 100 Airbus A320-200 aircraft, marking the beginning of its partnership with Airbus.
- 2011: 180 Airbus A320 aircraft, valued at $15 billion.
- August 2015: 250 Airbus A320neo aircraft, worth $27 billion.
- October 2019: 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft, valued at ₹2.3 lakh crore (approximately $27 billion).
- June 2023: 500 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, the largest single aircraft order in history, with deliveries scheduled between 2030 and 2035.
As of June 2025, IndiGo’s confirmed order book stands at approximately 1,400 aircraft, including nearly 1,000 A320 family planes yet to be delivered. In April 2024, IndiGo placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027, and secured purchase rights for an additional 70 A350 family aircraft.
| Order Year | Aircraft Type | Quantity | Value (USD) | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Airbus A320-200 | 100 | $6 billion | 2006–2011 |
| 2011 | Airbus A320 | 180 | $15 billion | 2012–2018 |
| 2015 | Airbus A320neo | 250 | $27 billion | 2016–2025 |
| 2019 | Airbus A320neo | 300 | $27 billion | 2020–2030 |
| 2023 | Airbus A320neo family | 500 | Not disclosed | 2030–2035 |
| 2024 | Airbus A350-900 | 30 | $4–5 billion | 2027 onwards |
The Potential Order for 40 Airbus A350 Planes
Recent reports indicate that IndiGo is likely to convert its purchase rights for 40 Airbus A350 aircraft into a firm order, bringing its total firm A350 orders to 100. The A350-900, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, has a range of approximately 15,000 kilometers, making it ideal for long-haul routes such as India to the US, Australia, and Europe.
The potential order follows IndiGo’s April 2024 commitment for 30 A350-900s and the conversion of 30 additional purchase options into firm orders in June 2024.
Key Details of the Potential Order
- Order Size: 40 additional Airbus A350 aircraft, potentially including A350-900s or the larger A350-1000 variant (though only Air India currently operates the A350-1000 among Indian carriers).
- Total A350 Orders: If confirmed, IndiGo’s firm A350 orders would reach 100, including the existing 30 A350-900s and the 30 converted in June 2024.
- Estimated Value: Based on the A350-900’s list price of $308.1 million, the order could be worth approximately $12.3 billion, though actual prices are typically negotiated lower.
- Delivery Timeline: Deliveries of the initial 30 A350-900s are set to begin in 2027, with the additional 40 aircraft likely to follow in subsequent years.
- Strategic Purpose: The A350s will support IndiGo’s expansion into long-haul international markets, competing with global carriers like Air India, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales at Airbus, emphasized the strategic foresight behind IndiGo’s order, stating, “They actually will order more aircraft… because they believe they will need those aircraft. And so, the [Indian] market is such that it’s easy to appreciate that there is a need for much more advanced aircraft” (Times of India).
IndiGo’s Expansion Strategy
The potential A350 order aligns with IndiGo’s ambitious plans to expand its international footprint. The airline aims to add 10 new overseas destinations by March 2026, including high-demand routes to London, Athens, and Copenhagen. Recent launches include flights from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam. As of June 2025, IndiGo operates over 2,200 daily flights to 127 destinations, including 91 domestic and 36 international routes.
Current International Operations
- Fleet Support: IndiGo currently uses wet-leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways for long-haul routes and expects additional leased wide-body aircraft in 2025.
- A321XLR Introduction: IndiGo anticipates deliveries of the Airbus A321XLR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, starting in late 2025 or early 2026, further enhancing its international capabilities.
- Market Share: IndiGo holds approximately 60% of India’s domestic air passenger market as of February 2024.
India’s Aviation Market Growth
India is the fastest-growing aviation market globally, driven by rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and increasing air travel demand. Remi Maillard, President of Airbus India & South Asia, noted, “India’s strategic location and economic growth made it the fastest-growing market” (Times of India). Airbus sources $1.4 billion worth of parts annually from India and plans to increase this by $600 million before the decade’s end, underscoring the country’s growing role in global aviation.
Significance of the A350 Order
The potential order for 40 additional A350 aircraft is a transformative step for IndiGo, with far-reaching implications:
- Long-Haul Capability: The A350-900’s range and fuel efficiency enable non-stop flights to distant markets, positioning IndiGo to compete on routes like India-US, India-Australia, and India-Europe.
- Fleet Diversification: Historically a narrow-body operator, IndiGo’s adoption of wide-body A350s allows it to cater to premium travelers. The airline is exploring dual-class configurations (business and economy), as indicated by former CEO Ronojoy Dutta in 2022 (Business Standard).
- Global Market Positioning: With 100 firm A350 orders, IndiGo would strengthen its position as a leading global airline, building on its status as the largest operator of Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
- Economic Impact: The order, potentially valued at $12.3 billion, reflects IndiGo’s confidence in India’s aviation growth and will create jobs and economic opportunities.
- Strategic Partnerships: The order deepens IndiGo’s partnership with Airbus and marks a new collaboration with Rolls-Royce, the supplier of the A350’s Trent XWB engines.
Pieter Elbers, IndiGo’s CEO, described the initial A350 order as a “historic moment” that “will further shape the future of the airline and Indian aviation” (Business Standard).
Historical Context: IndiGo’s Partnership with Airbus
IndiGo’s relationship with Airbus began in 2005 with an order for 100 A320-200 aircraft, valued at $6 billion. Initially met with skepticism by Airbus executives, who considered the order ambitious for a new Indian airline, the deal laid the foundation for a long-standing partnership. IndiGo’s founders, Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, leveraged bulk orders to negotiate favorable terms, contributing to the airline’s low-cost model (BusinessToday).
Subsequent orders, including the record-breaking 500 A320neo family aircraft in 2023, have made IndiGo the largest operator of the A320neo family globally. The airline’s single-type fleet strategy has streamlined operations, maintenance, and crew training, enabling rapid growth. The A350 order represents a shift toward wide-body aircraft, reflecting IndiGo’s evolution from a domestic low-cost carrier to a global aviation leader.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
- Competition: IndiGo will face intense competition from established carriers like Air India, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, which have strong brand recognition in premium long-haul markets.
- Operational Complexity: Managing a mixed fleet of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft will require new training, maintenance, and operational protocols.
- Market Risks: The aviation industry is sensitive to fuel price fluctuations, economic downturns, and geopolitical events, which could impact IndiGo’s expansion plans.
Opportunities
- Growing Demand: India’s passenger traffic is projected to double by 2030, offering significant growth potential for IndiGo.
- International Expansion: The A350s will enable IndiGo to tap into high-demand international markets, increasing revenue from premium segments.
- Brand Evolution: By introducing wide-body aircraft and potentially business-class seating, IndiGo can reposition itself as a hybrid carrier, blending low-cost efficiency with premium offerings.
(India CSR)
