The confirmation of additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, along with the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engine agreement, is expected to enhance IndiGo’s operational flexibility and accelerate its entry into new long-haul markets.
IndiGo has doubled its wide-body commitment with a firm order for 30 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, bringing its total order to 60 jets. The agreement, signed on October 17, converts 30 of the airline’s 70 purchase rights into confirmed orders.
The original memorandum of understanding was inked at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting held in New Delhi in June.
This milestone builds on IndiGo’s initial order of 30 A350-900s in April 2024—its first wide-body acquisition—and marks a decisive step in its ambition to become a global aviation player by 2030. The airline now retains purchase rights for 40 more aircraft from the A350 family.
“The conversion of this MoU into a firm order is a testament to our confidence in the future of Indian aviation and our strategic partnership with Airbus, further reinforced by the strong start of our long-haul operations,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo. “In line with India’s vision of becoming a global aviation hub and our aspiration to establish ourselves as a leading global aviation player by 2030, IndiGo is taking decisive steps forward.”
The A350’s range and performance will enable IndiGo to operate deeper into long-haul markets, including new routes to the Americas and beyond.
“The A350’s unparalleled fuel efficiency, range and passenger comfort perfectly align with IndiGo’s ambitious growth plans,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales, Airbus Commercial Aircraft. “This milestone reinforces our strong partnership with one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world.”
The airline currently operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft and has an order book exceeding 900, including A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR variants.
Rolls-Royce Engine Deal
In a related development, IndiGo has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce to power its A350 fleet with Trent XWB-84 engines. These engines, which deliver up to 84,000 pounds of thrust, are among the most fuel-efficient large aero-engines in service today. Known for their reliability and reduced emissions, they are optimised for long-haul operations and align with IndiGo’s international strategy.
As part of the deal, IndiGo will also adopt Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare programme, offering round-the-clock engine health monitoring, proactive maintenance, and lifecycle performance optimisation.
“Building on the encouraging response we have received since launching our long-haul services, our Airbus A350 aircraft will further unlock unprecedented growth potential for IndiGo,” said Elbers. “The partnership with Rolls-Royce to power our wide-body fleet underscores our commitment to reliable, efficient and sustainable operations as we look to expand our long-haul operations with the highest standards of performance.”
The move is expected to enhance IndiGo’s operational flexibility and support its entry into new long-haul markets. The airline’s internationalisation strategy—’Towards new heights, across new frontiers’—has already seen the launch of services to Manchester and Amsterdam, with Copenhagen, London, and Athens to follow.