IndiGo CEO, Pieter Elbers, announced the airline’s ambitious move into widebody aircraft procurement, signaling its ascent as a global aviation player.
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, is set to reshape the aviation landscape with its recent decision to procure 30 A350-900 widebody aircraft from Airbus, as revealed by Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers. This monumental move marks IndiGo’s first foray into widebody planes, signifying its strategic shift towards becoming a dominant force in the global aviation arena.
Elbers emphasised IndiGo’s commitment to maintaining cost leadership while exploring new opportunities for growth. With a fleet primarily composed of narrow-body aircraft, the airline has strategically opted for a substantial yet prudent order of widebody planes, ensuring a meaningful impact without compromising financial stability.
The agreement with Airbus also includes an option for an additional 70 A350 family aircraft, underscoring IndiGo’s long-term vision for expansion and market penetration. Elbers highlighted the airline’s extensive domestic network as a solid foundation for its global aspirations, with 88 domestic destinations already served by IndiGo.
IndiGo’s expansion strategy encompasses not only domestic connectivity but also international and intercontinental routes. Elbers outlined the airline’s plans to establish India as a global aviation hub by leveraging its robust domestic network to facilitate seamless international connections.
While specifics about the configuration of the A350-900 aircraft remain undisclosed, Elbers assured that all options are being considered, hinting at the possibility of introducing business class seating to cater to diverse passenger preferences.
With approximately 27 percent of its total capacity deployed on international routes, IndiGo is poised to capitalise on global opportunities for growth and collaboration.
