IndiGo May Soon Confirm Additional Airbus A350 Orders Amid Strategic Fleet Expansion

New Delhi, July 9, 2025: IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, is reportedly on the verge of converting purchase rights for an additional 40 Airbus A350 aircraft into a firm order. This strategic move would further reinforce its aggressive wide-body fleet expansion, with the initial deliveries of the A350-900 jets already set to begin in mid-2027.

IndiGo’s Growing A350 Commitment

IndiGo made global aviation headlines in June 2023 with the world’s largest single aircraft order for 500 Airbus A320-family jets. As part of its long-haul ambitions, the airline had previously placed firm orders for 30 Airbus A350-900s, along with options for 70 more. In June of this year, IndiGo converted 30 of those purchase rights into confirmed orders, bringing its total firm A350 count to 60 aircraft.

Now, according to a recent report, the airline is expected to firm up another batch of 40 A350s. While Airbus executive vice-president Benoit de Saint-Exupéry has indicated IndiGo’s intent for further expansion, a specific timeline for this additional confirmation has not yet been announced.

A Strategic Bet on Long-Haul Capabilities

The Airbus A350 family, which includes the A350-900 and the larger A350-1000, is renowned for its fuel efficiency and comfort on long-range flights. These wide-body jets can accommodate between 300 and 410 passengers and have the capability to fly non-stop for up to 18,000 km. While IndiGo has so far committed only to the A350-900 variant, it remains uncertain whether these potential new orders will include the larger A350-1000, which is currently only on order with Air India among Indian carriers.

Deliveries Set for Mid-2027

Deliveries of IndiGo’s already-confirmed A350-900s are scheduled to begin from mid-2027. This key milestone will mark IndiGo’s formal entry into long-haul wide-body operations, representing a significant shift from its current strategy, which has predominantly focused on narrow-body aircraft.

Overall Fleet Expansion

With nearly 1,400 aircraft on order, including various A320NEO family aircraft (A320NEO, A321NEO, A321XLR) and the A350s, IndiGo has already taken delivery of over 455 planes. This substantial order pipeline is set to position the carrier for a dominant role on both domestic and international routes over the coming decade. As of January 2025, IndiGo held a significant 65.2% share of the Indian domestic air traffic market.

Airbus Betting Big on India

Beyond aircraft sales, Airbus is substantially increasing its aerospace sourcing from India. The company currently procures parts worth $1.4 billion annually and aims to boost this figure by an additional $600 million well before the end of the decade. Remi Maillard, President of Airbus India, highlighted India’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem and the numerous opportunities across commercial aviation, defence, space, and helicopter segments.

Aircraft Pricing and Global Orders

While official aircraft prices are no longer publicly disclosed, the UK-based AXON Aviation Group estimates the A350-900 at $308.1 million and the A350-1000 at $355.7 million. Globally, as of May 31, Airbus has received 1,391 A350 orders and has delivered 648 of these jets.

Share Price Performance

As of 12:10 PM, the shares of IndiGo were trading at ₹5,845.00, up by 0.74% or ₹43.00. It remains to be seen at what price the shares close at the end of today’s market session.

What’s Ahead for IndiGo?

IndiGo’s potential move to confirm 40 more Airbus A350s signals a clear commitment to scaling up its long-haul international presence. With deliveries starting mid-2027, the airline is gearing up for a major strategic shift beyond domestic and regional routes. This wide-body expansion could allow IndiGo to tap high-demand international markets, compete with global carriers, and diversify revenue streams. However, success will depend on execution, regulatory approvals, pilot training, and global travel demand. Investors and industry watchers will now focus on the final order confirmation, route announcements, and long-haul readiness milestones.

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