IndiGo Eyes Order For 100 Regional Aircraft

IndiGo is looking to assert its dominance even further in the lucrative and ever-growing Indian market with a new aircraft order.

As reported by The Economic Times, IndiGo is looking towards three aircraft manufacturers to provide aircraft for an order of 100 jets.

As part of the airline’s plans, it’s targeting smaller aircraft that would allow for the deepening of its regional network. This is an aspect of the business that the company believes it’ll be able to strengthen.

IndiGo is in talks with three aircraft manufacturers, ATR, Embraer, and Airbus, to supply the 100 aircraft required to fulfil its future regional flying needs.

The Indian low-cost unit has significantly expanded over the last 18 months with major single-aisle aircraft orders. An additional purchase of the Airbus A350 in April only further signalled its long-term intent as an airline to capitalise on the market share available.

Now, the regional market is calling, and several aircraft are in the frame to be added to their fleet. Indigo already operates the ATR aircraft, and thanks to the familiar nature of the aircraft source to the Economic Times highlights, this would be the more likely selection.

However, Indigo knows several other modern alternatives exist within the industry. Airbus, following the continued establishment of a strong relationship with Indigo, will look to pounce on this new order interest with its A220 programme. Meanwhile, over at Embraer, its E-Jets will be a talking point as they push to enter the Indian market with the carrier.

Demand across India to fly domestically and internationally is surging, and Indigo wants to respond. However, upon further analysis of possible market opportunities, connectivity between more regional cities has been highlighted as an area of focus.

Thanks to investment in infrastructure at these smaller airports, Indigo is forecasting considerable growth and demand for travel. The Indian carrier wants to be well-positioned to meet this growth and knows that more aircraft will be required.

While many airlines look to secure aircraft delivery slots into the 2030s as programs sell out, Indigo’s interest is very different. The carrier wants to rapidly expand its operations and continue growing as India’s number one airline. Additionally, the company will want to fend off Tata Group and Air India, which are attempting to turn their fortunes around.