IndiGo airlines announced on Sunday that it has placed a firm order for an additional 30 wide-body A350 aircraft with Airbus, bringing their total A350 fleet commitment to 60 aircraft.Following their initial firm order of 30 A350 aircraft in April 2023, which included an option for 70 additional planes, IndiGo has now confirmed orders for half of the optional aircraft.During a press conference in the national capital, IndiGo’s Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers confirmed the conversion of 30 aircraft from their optional quota into a firm order.The carrier currently maintains an order book exceeding 900 aircraft, scheduled for delivery over the upcoming years.As India’s largest airline strengthens its international presence, it plans to commence operations to 10 new international destinations using leased Boeing 787 aircraft during the fiscal year ending March 2026.Meanwhile, in a separate development, IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic announced their intention to establish a leading collaborative network connecting India with Europe and North America. India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector serves as a crucial element in this strategic alliance.The partnership combines IndiGo’s comprehensive domestic routes with Delta’s North American and transatlantic operations, Air France-KLM’s extensive European and North American coverage, and Virgin Atlantic’s British and transatlantic services. This integration aims to provide travellers with enhanced accessibility, streamlined connections and uniform service quality across different continents.The airlines’ collaboration will connect numerous cities across the United States, Canada, Europe and India, addressing the increasing international travel demands whilst establishing new benchmarks for global aviation connectivity and partnership.Read more: IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic partner to connect India with Europe and North America
