India’s top airline, IndiGo, has just made a big move to expand its international reach.
They’ve placed an order for 30 wide-body A350-900 planes, marking a significant step in their growth strategy.
In a statement, IndiGo expressed excitement about the order, saying it will help them connect Indian cities with destinations around the world. This move signals their ambition to spread their wings further and broaden their network, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Airbus, the manufacturer of the A350 planes, also hailed the decision. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP sales, emphasized how this selection will open up more opportunities for India in global aviation.
Until now, IndiGo mainly operated narrow-body Airbus aircraft, with just two Boeing 777 planes for specific routes. But with this order, they’re stepping into the wide-body market. These new planes will feature Rolls Royce’s Trent XWB engine.
As per the official Press Release, IndiGo has signed a deal with Rolls-Royce for 60 Trent XWB-84 engines, marking the first-ever collaboration between the two giants.
Under the agreement, Rolls-Royce’s comprehensive TotalCare service will ensure the health and maintenance of the engines, a vital aspect for smooth operations.
The Trent XWB engines, known for their efficiency and reliability, are poised to accelerate IndiGo’s sustainability efforts, boasting a 15 percent fuel consumption advantage over previous models.
Additionally, they can operate on a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), further aligning with environmental goals.
Ewen McDonald, Chief Customer Officer, Rolls-Royce plc, said: “This substantial order from IndiGo for our Trent XWB-84 engines is a great win for Rolls-Royce. It re-affirms the position of the Trent XWB as the future-ready, engine of choice among airline operators. India is an important market for Rolls-Royce. The future promises to be exciting, with significant infrastructure developments and further growth expected in air travel. We are grateful to IndiGo for placing their trust in us and we look forward to partnering with them on this journey. Together we will reach more destinations, serve more customers and capture the opportunities of this exciting market.”
This isn’t the first time IndiGo has made headlines for a major aircraft order. Last June, they made history with the largest single aircraft order ever, securing 500 planes from Airbus. This latest order adds to their already impressive fleet of over 350 aircraft.
IndiGo highlighted the significance of their relationship with Airbus and Rolls Royce, calling it unprecedented in terms of depth and size. They’re looking forward to the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.
While the exact configuration of the new planes is yet to be determined, deliveries are expected to start in 2027. Additionally, IndiGo has the option to purchase an additional 70 Airbus A350 Family planes based on future requirements.
With this latest move, IndiGo is set to soar even higher in the global aviation industry.
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