Dhanteras eve shopping: IndiGo places firm order for 30 more A350s & Rolls-Royce engines for these big birds

NEW DELHI: IndiGo has placed a firm order for 30 more Airbus A350 aircraft, doubling its order for this wide body aircraft from 30 to 60. The airline had announced its intention to do so at IATA AGM in Delhi this June. It has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce to equip its A350 fleet with Trent XWB-84 engines along with a “TotalCare Agreement” for comprehensive engine health monitoring and maintenance throughout the lifecycle of the fleet. IndiGo now has purchase rights for 40 more wide-body aircraftIndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: “…a special day for IndiGo as we solidify our commitment to expanding our international footprint and offering unparalleled connectivity to our customers. The conversion of this MoU into a firm order for 30 additional A350-900s is a testament to our confidence in the future of Indian aviation and our strategic partnership with Airbus, further reinforced by the strong start of our long-haul operations. In line with India’s vision of becoming a global aviation hub and our aspiration to establish ourselves as a leading global aviation player by 2030, IndiGo is taking decisive steps forward. These aircraft, as they join our fleet in the years to come, will play a pivotal role in enabling IndiGo expand its reach, connect India with more destinations across the globe, and offer our customers new international travel opportunities.”“The A350’s unparalleled fuel efficiency, range and passenger comfort perfectly align with IndiGo’s ambitious growth plans and international long-haul network ambitions. This milestone reinforces our strong partnership with one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, and we look forward to supporting their expansion into new long-haul markets,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of the commercial aircraft business at Airbus.The A350-900 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engine. Regarding the Rolls-Royce engine order, Elbers said: “Building on the encouraging response we’ve received since launching our long-haul services, our Airbus A350 aircraft will further unlock unprecedented growth potential for IndiGo. The partnership with Rolls Royce to power our wide-body fleet underscores our commitment to reliable, efficient and sustainable operations as we look to expand our long-haul operations with the highest standards of performance. At IndiGo we’re looking much forward to enter into deep and long terms relationship with Rolls Royce.”With a current fleet of over 400 aircraft and an order book of over 900 aircraft — including A320NEO, A321NEO, and A321XLR — IndiGo says it “is well-equipped to expand its extensive network and contribute meaningfully to India’s vision of becoming a global aviation hub.”