IndiGo doubles wide body order by confirming order for 30 more Airbus A350s
NEW DELHI:
IndiGo
Sunday doubled its wide body aircraft order by confirming the option for 30 wide body Airbus A350s. Now the airline has 60 A350s on firm order and has an option for 40 more. 'We have signed the MoU with Airbus for confirming the option for 30 A350s.
Their delivery starts in 2027,' airline CEO Pieter Elbers said at the IATA AGM Sunday.
'Delivery of the initial 30 A350s ordered last years will begin in 2027 and continue till the early part of next decade. Delivery of this next batch (of 30) will start after that and continue well into the second half of the next decade,'Elbers said. Last May, IndiGo had placed a firm order for 30 wide body Airbus A350 aircraft and had an option for 70 more.
IndiGo had two years back started operating long hauls on wet leased (hired with operating crew) wide body Boeing 777s of Turkish Airlines, an agreement it has to end within three months now. Next month, it will start operating B787s wet leased from Norse Atlantic to Manchester and Amsterdam.
Now as IndiGo has to end the wet lease with Turkish, it is deepening ties with other carriers so that passengers to new destinations like Amsterdam and Manchester can get further connectivity from those places. Accordingly, IndiGo,
Delta Air Lines
, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Sunday announced plans to build a partnership connecting India with Europe and North America.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Wunstorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung
GEERS
Undo
'By linking IndiGo's domestic network with Delta's strength in North America and the transatlantic, the reach of Air France-KLM in Europe and North America, and the UK and transatlantic presence of Virgin Atlantic, the partnership is poised to offer travellers broader access,' IndiGo said in a statement.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030.
This partnership (with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic) represents a milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation…. We are particularly excited to start our long-haul expansion from this summer and connect with our partners' networks to provide greater access to Europe and North America.
This strategic partnership enables a combined customer proposition in the form of comprehensive intercontinental connectivity, seamless experience and great loyalty value.'
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said: 'This agreement is another example of our commitment to making travel more connected, more inclusive and more accessible. Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta's direct service from the US to India in the near future.
'
Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said: 'We are very glad to extend our existing partnership with IndiGo and to do so alongside our partners Delta and Virgin Atlantic. India is a strategic market for Air France-KLM, where we have a strong and historic presence soon to increase. We look forward to welcoming IndiGo customers on our flights and to play an active role in the country's connectivity.'
Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said: 'In our 25th year of flying to India, we're delighted to build on our Joint Venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, and our successful codeshare with IndiGo, by going further with this partnership. As IndiGo starts long haul operations, we'll connect four of the world's largest economies, enhancing the travel experience for our guests, from greater connectivity and optimised flight times to loyalty benefits.
'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
IndiGo doubles wide-body aircraft order
N Tired of too many ads? go ad free now EW DELHI: IndiGo doubled its wide body aircraft order by confirming the option for 30 wide body Airbus A350s. Now the airline has 60 A350s on firm order and has an option for 40 more. "We have signed the MoU with Airbus for confirming the option for 30 A350s. Their delivery starts in 2027," airline CEO Pieter Elbers said at the IATA AGM on Sunday. "Delivery of initial 30 A350s ordered last year will begin in 2027 and continue till early part of next decade. Delivery of this next batch (of 350) will start after that and continue into the second half of the next decade," Elbers said.
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
IndiGo to end Turkish airlines lease within three months after final extension from Indian govt
New Delhi: IndiGo will terminate its leasing agreement with state-backed Turkish Airlines within three months after the pact was granted a final extension, India's aviation regulator said on Friday, a move that will push the carrier to seek alternatives. The agreement has come under criticism in India after Turkey came out in support for Pakistan during the recent conflict between the two South Asian neighbours. The pact has also been opposed by IndiGo's rival Air India, which has lobbied the Indian government to end the deal, citing business impact and security concerns, Reuters has previously reported.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Indian flyers to double in 5 years, ambition to commercialise space flights: PM Modi
NEW DELHI: India's flyer footfall is projected to more than double from the current 24 crore to almost 50 crore annually by 2030, which is more than the population of many countries, PM Narendra Modi said Monday while showcasing the country's aviation success story at the International Air Transport Association's 81st AGM here. Modi also said India's aviation ambitions included commercial space flights and integrating interplanetary journeys into civil aviation. While these will take time, the country is geared to make this a reality through its prowess in transformation and innovation, he said. PM Modi pointed out that India already had the most inclusive workforce in aviation with 15% of pilots being women, three times the global average of 5%. By 2047, the number of airports will expand to 350 - there are 162 currently in operation - while cargo is expected to increase from 3.5 to 10 million metric tonnes by the end of this decade. India set to become $4bn MRO hub by 2030, says PM Another potential feather in the aviation cap is India becoming a $4 billion maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub by 2030, PM Modi said. "India should not be viewed merely as an aviation market, but as a value-chain leader. From design to delivery, India is becoming an integral part of the global aviation supply chain," Modi said, asking the aviation ecosystem to "not just make in India but also design in India". "We are working on a futuristic roadmap to maximise India's potential. In 2014, the country had 74 operational airports, which have now expanded to 162 and will increase to 350 in 2047. We are now the third largest aviation market globally. Our airlines have over 2,000 new aircraft on order," he said. Hosted by IndiGo, the global event is being held in India after 42 years. India had 96 maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in 2014, which has since increased to 154. This is attributed to 100% FDI under the automatic route, reduced GST and rationalised taxation. "India is more confident than ever before," Modi said, spotlighting "big changes" the country had seen since the time last IATA AGM was held. "Today, India is emerging as a global leader in space-aviation convergence," he said. "There are three foundational pillars driving India's aviation sector: A vast market - not merely a collection of consumers but a reflection of India's aspirational society. A strong demographic and talent pool where young innovators are pioneering breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and clean energy. And finally, an open and supportive policy ecosystem which will take aviation to unprecedented heights," the PM said. The seamless Digi Yatra app for paperless domestic travel came in for special praise, with Modi urging other countries to adopt the same. "Digi Yatra stands as a secure and smart solution, serving as a model of inspiration for the Global South." He also spoke about the work being done in the fields of sustainable aviation fuels, green technologies and reducing carbon footprint. "The new Indian Aircraft Act aligns aviation laws with global best practices, ensuring a streamlined regulatory framework, ease of compliance and a simplified tax structure which presents a significant investment opportunity for major international aviation companies," he said.
