IndiGo Sets Aviation Record With Order For 500 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft, Most Ever By A Single Airline

In a groundbreaking move, IndiGo, India's leading airline in terms of market share, has shattered records by placing an order for 500 Airbus A320 family aircraft on 19 June, marking the largest purchase agreement ever witnessed in the aviation industry, MoneyControl has reported.

The deal, valued at $50 billion based on list prices, will see IndiGo taking delivery of these new aircraft between 2030 and 2035.

However, it is anticipated that the actual cost of acquisition will be significantly lower, as large-scale deals like this typically receive substantial discounts from the list prices.

This significant order consists of a combination of A320 neo, A321 neo, and A321 xlr aircraft. IndiGo stated in a press release, "The engine selection for this order will be done in due course, as will be the exact mix of A320 and A321 aircraft."

With a current fleet of over 300 aircraft and existing orders for 480 more, which are expected to be delivered by the end of 2030, IndiGo's order book is now nearly 1,000 aircraft strong, extending well into the next decade. Since its establishment in 2006, Indigo has amassed a staggering total of 1,330 aircraft on order with Airbus.

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, emphasized the significance of this historic order, stating, "It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo's new historic order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. An order book now of almost 1,000 aircraft well into the next decade enables IndiGo to fulfil its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion, and mobility in India."

The record-breaking nature of this order surpasses Tata's Air India, which placed an order for approximately 30 fewer planes earlier this year in February.

Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "This landmark order marks a new chapter in Airbus and IndiGo's relationship that is democratising affordable air travel for millions of people in the world's fastest-growing aviation market."

IndiGo, with its dominant 61 percent share of the domestic Indian market, is set to retain its position as the leading force in the Indian aviation industry for the foreseeable future.

Currently, the airline operates flights to 26 international destinations, serving 75 city pairs globally. IndiGo aims to increase its international seat share from 23 percent in 2023-24 to 30 percent within the next two years, as stated by CEO Pieter Elbers.

With its fleet of over 300 aircraft, thee airline operates more than 1,800 daily flights, connecting 78 domestic destinations and serving millions of passengers each year.

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