In a dramatic shift in its strategy, India’s largest airline IndiGo has placed its first-ever order for a widebody aircraft, with the firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900.

India’s largest airline, low-cost carrier IndiGo Airline has signalled a massive shift in its business strategy with the placing of its first-ever order for wide-body aircraft with a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

In a press statement, IndiGo says that it is further defining its long-term future by strengthening its fleet with the introduction of wide-body aircraft to its fleet.

Since inception in 2006, IndiGo has been successfully building its position with the order and deployment of only narrowbody Airbus aircraft of the A320-321 family and now has a fleet of over 350 of these planes.

With the order for the widebody, the airline says that it is now defining its future further on the path of becoming a global aviation player. From the various Indian metros, IndiGo will be able to connect to the world. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce’s Trent XWB engine, says the airline.

The mission capability of this aircraft coupled with the efficiency of the Trent XWB engine will offer IndiGo unprecedented optionality as it embarks on the next stage of its wonderful journey of addressing the rapidly evolving needs of the consumers.

Last year, in June 2023, IndiGo placed the largest ever single aircraft order by any airline for 500 aircraft with Airbus. With that, the outstanding orderbook of A320 Family aircraft stands at almost 1,000 aircraft which are yet to be delivered well into the next decade. This IndiGo order-book comprises a mix of A320NEO, A321NEO and A321XLR aircraft.

The airline says that this new order will bring the strategic relationship between IndiGo and Airbus to an unprecedented level in terms of depth, breadth, and size. For the relationship between IndiGo and Rolls Royce, this marks the beginning of a new, long and fruitful relationship.

The exact configuration of the aircraft will be decided at a later stage, and the deliveries are expected to start from 2027. In addition to the 30 firm orders, the airline has options for another 70 Airbus A350 family aircraft, at its discretion, for possible future needs under certain conditions.

IndiGo says that it is amongst the fastest growing airlines in the world and this order will allow it to strengthen its growth trajectory.

“Today’s historic moment marks a new chapter for IndiGo and will further shape the future of the airline and for Indian aviation at the same time. For IndiGo, after successfully pioneering the Indian skies with an unprecedented journey, its fleet of 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft will allow IndiGo to embark on its next phase of becoming one of the leading global aviation players. At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline and for offering connectivity to our customers, in and with India. This reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in, and commitment to, the growth of India, and in our strategic partnership with Airbus,” says Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo.