IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has recently made a significant order for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with the option to purchase an additional 70 aircraft. The airline, known for its no-frills philosophy and cost-effective operations, has been a major customer of the A320/320neo family of aircraft for many years. With this new order, IndiGo is looking to expand its international reach and connect people from India to destinations around the world. The airline’s success in the Indian market has positioned it as the top airline by market share, handling almost two-thirds of India’s domestic air traffic.
In addition to the A350-900 order, IndiGo has also ordered the A321XLR, which will increase the airline’s range and enable it to reach Western continental Europe from India. The airline’s international ambitions are well-documented, and it has been conducting internal assessments to determine the best growth strategy. Previous reports suggested that IndiGo was considering the Boeing 787 and A330neo for its long-haul operations, but ultimately decided to go with the A350-900. With the addition of these widebody aircraft to its fleet, IndiGo is looking to establish a successful international long-haul operation, potentially hubbed in India.
IndiGo’s decision to order widebody aircraft comes at a time when other airlines in the region, such as Air India, are also expanding their fleets with similar aircraft. Air India recently ordered a mix of 70 widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and 777X, as well as the Airbus A350-900 and -1000 variants. IndiGo has already been experimenting with widebody aircraft by wet-leasing two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Turkish Airlines for its longest flights to Istanbul. This experiment has likely provided valuable insights into operating a widebody fleet and filling up larger aircraft with passengers.
As IndiGo prepares to transition from a domestic Indian carrier to a global player, it will need to evolve its business model and offerings to accommodate long-haul flying. Historically, low-cost airlines have faced challenges when trying to expand into the long-haul market, so it remains to be seen how IndiGo will navigate this transition. The airline’s success in the Indian market and disciplined execution over the years have positioned it well for this next phase of growth. With its new fleet of A350-900 and A321XLR aircraft, IndiGo is poised to become a global people mover, connecting travelers from India to destinations across the world.
