Airbus and Boeing are reportedly competing to bag a widebody aircraft order from IndiGo, India’s largest airline. The budget airline is said to be concluding a massive single-aisle aircraft order with France-based Airbus and could also order a widebody fleet for the first time in its history.
According to a report by Mint, the Airbus and Boeing are in a race to woo IndiGo and the airline will choose between the Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Initially, IndiGo was considering the Airbus A350 due to the ease of training A320 pilots for its operations. The plane was dropped from consideration because of some unknown reasons.
However, the A330 is now the frontrunner from Airbus, with the France-based manufacturer expecting to maintain its presence within the airline for its widebody fleet also. The developments come before the Paris Air Show that starts on 19 June.
Both Airbus and Boeing have not released any official comments regarding any such potential order from IndiGo.
IndiGo’s business strategy regarding its fleet structure has changed in the past few years. The low-cost carrier’s strong domestic network and short-to-medium-haul international network are served easily with its narrowbody fleet.
The airline is looking to expand its international network, including long-route destinations in Europe and East Asia which can be comfortably served with widebody planes. Recently, it announced new routes connecting India to six new destinations in Central Asia and Africa.
IndiGo is finalizing a massive aircraft order that could even surpass Air India’s 470- aeroplane deal with Boeing and Airbus a few months ago. Reportedly, the airline is in final conversations with Airbus for an order of 500 A320s. If signed, it will be the largest aircraft order in history in terms of number of planes.
