(Posted 19th June 2023)
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 Family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. The latest agreement takes the total number of Airbus aircraft on order by IndiGo to 1,330, establishing its position as the world’s biggest A320 Family customer.
The historic purchase agreement was signed by Rahul Bhatia, Promoter & Managing Director of IndiGo, Dr. Venkataramani Sumantran, Chairman and Non-Executive Independent Director of IndiGo, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, at the Paris Air Show 2023.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said, “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 1000 aircraft well into the next decade, enables IndiGo to fulfil its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion and mobility in India. At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline for connectivity in and with India; and by doing so, being one of the leading airlines in the world. This order strongly reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in the growth of India, in the A320 Family and in our strategic partnership with Airbus.”
“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. It is also a resounding endorsement of the A320 Family’s best-in-class operating economics that have been powering IndiGo’s growth for almost two decades. We cherish our long-standing relationship with IndiGo and are proud of our success together. We look forward to contributing to the growth of India’s air connectivity in its domestic network and into international markets through the expansion of this formidable partnership” , said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus.
New Delhi-headquartered IndiGo is among the fastest growing carriers in the world. Since its first A320neo aircraft was delivered in March 2016, its fleet of A320neo Family has grown into one of the world’s largest with 264 aircraft in operation (162 A320neo, 79 A321neo, 21 A320ceo and 2 A321 freighters. IndiGo placed its first order with Airbus in 2005 (100 A320 Family) and again in 2011 (180 A320 Family including the NEO), in 2014 (250neo Family), and in 2019 (300 A320neo Family) taking its previous total order book to 830 A320 Family aircraft.
Over the last two decades, the A320neo has been instrumental in democratising air travel in India as an expanding economy and rising disposable incomes continue to add millions of first-time flyers to a booming aviation market.
Worldwide, the A320 Family is the undisputed leader in the single-aisle aircraft category. The aircraft has the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky that incorporates the very latest technologies. It features enhanced aerodynamics and the latest-generation jet engines, resulting in significant reductions in fuel consumption and lower emissions. With more than 8,700 orders from over 130 customers, the A320neo Family is the aircraft Family of choice for airlines around the world across all business models.
The news, made public on the first day of the Paris Air Show, comes hot on the heels of Air Mauritius ordering 3 Airbus A350’s while ‘flynas‘ of Saudi Arabia also earlier today firmed up an order for 30 more Airbus A320’s.
The agreement was signed at the Paris Airshow by Bandar Almohanna, flynas Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer & Head of International, in the presence of H.E Saleh Al-Jasser Minister of Transport and Logistic Service, H.E. Abdulaziz Alduailj, President of General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia, and Ayed Aljeaid, Chairman of the Board of NAS Holding.
This significant announcement reaffirms flynas’ position as a key player in the Kingdom’s aviation industry and highlights the airline’s ambitious plans to keep expanding its fleet with the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient single aisle aircraft.
flynas is an all Airbus operator and was the first airline in Saudi Arabia to acquire the A320neo. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 32 A320neos, 13 A320ceos and four A330-300s. The addition of these new aircraft will support the airline’s growth plans as it continues to expand its international routes and destinations network.
The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver at least 20 percent lower fuel burn and CO2 emission savings. With more than 8,700 orders from 136 customers, the A320neo Family is the world’s most popular aircraft.
“As we continue to grow receiving several awards for excellence in operations and customer services and invest in our offering, we are delighted to confirm our latest order with Airbus,” said Bander Almohanna, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of flynas. “The A320neo Family brings unmatched benefits to our passengers, offering exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits, while helping us provide unique travel experiences at low-cost.”
