IndiGo to place ’record’ aircraft order with Airbus SE soon

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., which operates the country's largest airline IndiGo, will soon place a "record" order for Airbus A320neo family aircraft, including the latest long range Airbus A321XLR planes, people aware of the development said.

"The order could be officially placed as early as this week," the people mentioned above said requesting anonymity.

IndiGo's upcoming order will include the latest and longest range single-aisle airliner, Airbus A321XLR, which according to Airbus website will be delivered to customers only after 2023.

Reuters on Tuesday reported that IndiGo is close to placing a near-record order for more than 300 Airbus A320neo-family jets worth at least $33 billion at recent catalogue prices, citing sources.

However, Mint couldn't independently verify the figure.

IndiGo didn't immediately respond to Mint's queries. An Airbus spokesperson didn't offer comments.

The upcoming order will add impetus to IndiGo's plans to expand its international network.

The airline currently flies to international destinations including Myanmar, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, China, Kuwait, Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand and United Arab Emirates, on its fleet of Airbus A320 family planes.

According to Airbus SE, A321XLR planes will deliver an extra long range of up to 4,700 nm (nautical miles), which is 15% more than the A321LR plane.

The A321XLR aircraft will help IndiGo fly longer distances and also save on fuel costs.

The upcoming A320neo aircraft family order will also help IndiGo replace its older A320ceo fleet, which the airline wants to retire by 2022.

The Gurgaon-headquartered airline had 245 aircraft in its fleet consisting of 89 A320neo planes, 129 A320ceo planes, six A321neo planes and 21 ATR aircraft at the end of 30 September. It has since then added an A321neo plane to its fleet.