Indian budget carrier IndiGo said on Monday (June 19) that it had ordered a record 500 A320 planes from French manufacturer Airbus. This has eclipsed Air India’s purchase of 470 jets earlier this year and has set a new record. The multi-billion dollar purchase is the largest ever by number of aircraft.
The deal has come through after months of negotiations.
“This is just the beginning, there’s more going forward. With the growth of India (and) the growth of the Indian aviation market … this is the right time for us to place this order,” Chief Executive Pieter Elbers told a news conference.
AFP has reported that the list price is of USD 55 billion. Closely-held actual sale prices are normally lower. This deal is the largest ever in civil aviation.
The planes will be delivered between 2030 and 2035.
The order also makes IndiGo Airbus’ largest customer for A320 planes. IndiGo is racing to expand as travel rebounds in India in the post-pandemic period.
(This is a breaking news. More to follow shortly)
