India’s largest airline, IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation), has confirmed a firm order for 30 additional Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft, doubling its total confirmed commitment for the type to 60 jets.
The carrier had previously placed a firm order for 30 A350-900s in April 2024, with purchase rights for an additional 70 aircraft.
The 30 additional firm aircraft confirm the conversion of part of its existing option book into firm orders, increasing its wide-body aircraft order book from 30 to 60 A350-900s.
IndiGo’s original wide-body order in 2024 represented a historic milestone for the airline, which until then had operated exclusively narrow-body aircraft.
The A350-900 fleet will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, under a long-term technical partnership designed to support the airline’s future long-haul operations. IndiGo expects to begin taking delivery of the A350-900 aircraft from 2027 onwards.
According to industry sources, the decision underlines IndiGo’s intent to expand beyond its strong domestic and regional footprint to long-haul destinations in Europe, East Asia, and potentially North America.
The airline views the A350-900 platform as the ideal vehicle for this expansion, offering the range, efficiency, and passenger comfort required for non-stop intercontinental operations.
IndiGo’s business model has historically centred around the Airbus A320 family, which has enabled it to dominate the domestic market with high-frequency, low-cost operations.
With the A350 order expansion, IndiGo is signalling its transition from a primarily regional low-cost carrier into a global airline with a strong presence in international markets.
The move is also consistent with India’s evolving aviation landscape, where international travel demand has risen sharply amid growing disposable incomes and the country’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
Analysts have noted that IndiGo’s investment in wide-body aircraft positions it to capture a larger share of outbound and inbound traffic, competing more directly with Gulf and Southeast Asian carriers that currently dominate long-haul routes to and from India.
While delivery of the A350-900s will begin in 2027, IndiGo’s expansion will require parallel investments in crew training, long-haul operations infrastructure, and international partnerships.
Industry observers say the carrier’s evolving fleet composition suggests it is preparing for a hybrid operational model that balances its low-cost core with a new premium long-haul offering.
The confirmation of 30 additional A350-900s also leaves IndiGo with the option to further expand its wide-body fleet in the future, as the airline retains purchase rights on additional aircraft under its existing agreement with Airbus.
The move reinforces IndiGo’s ambition to become a truly global airline by the end of the decade.
With a total of 60 A350-900s now on order, the carrier is positioning itself to lead India’s next phase of international aviation growth and redefine its role on long-haul routes connecting major global markets.
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