IndiGo to double its order of Airbus A350 widebody aircraft from 30 to 60

IndiGo has said it will double its widebody aircraft order of Airbus A350 to 60 from 30 as India’s largest airline strengthens its fleet to cater to long-haul international travel.

IndiGo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to enlarge its wide-body aircraft order by converting 30 aircraft of its purchase rights for 70 aircraft into a firm order, the carrier said in a statement.

In April 2024, IndiGo took the strategic decision to induct widebody aircraft in its fleet by placing a firm order for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 70 aircraft. The original order’s deliveries are expected to start in 2027.

This strategic move will enable IndiGo to spread its wings further and expand its long-haul international network, connecting Indian metros to different parts of the world. With this, it will create more travel options for its customers to new international destinations and also enable more flights to the hubs of its partner airlines.

IndiGo’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce’s Trent XWB engine. “The mission capability of this aircraft, coupled with the efficiency of the Trent XWB engine, will offer IndiGo unprecedented optionality and reach as it embarks on the next stage of its wonderful journey of addressing the rapidly evolving needs of the Indian market and our nation,” the airline said.

In March 2025, IndiGo began preparing for its long-haul operations with the introduction of six temporarily leased wide body aircraft, deliveries of which will be concluded by 2026.

“India is the world’s third largest aviation market today. With the Government’s commitment to ensure India comes into her own on the world stage of aviation leadership by building cutting-edge infrastructure and developing the country into a global aviation hub, the opportunity is one of enormous growth,” the airline said.

In a separate development, IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic have announced plans to build a partnership connecting India with Europe and North America, with ambitions to grow to a global scale.

By linking IndiGo’s extensive domestic network with Delta’s strength in North America and the transatlantic, the extensive reach of Air France-KLM in Europe and North America, and the U.K. and transatlantic presence of Virgin Atlantic, the partnership is poised to offer travelers broader access, smoother journeys, and a more consistent experience across continents, they airlines said in a joint statement.

“Linking dozens of cities in the United States, Canada, Europe and India, the airlines aim to meet rising demand for international travel while setting new standards for connectivity and cooperation in global aviation,” they said.

“IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030. This partnership represents another important milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation. This announcement not only expands our relationship with Air France–KLM and Virgin Atlantic but also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we welcome Delta Airlines as a valued partner. 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,” said Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo.

This strategic partnership also lays the groundwork for the airlines to exchange best practices in areas of technology, operational excellence and service delivery, he added.