Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 21: Aiming to reportedly widen its overseas operations as well as fly non-stop from Delhi and Mumbai airports to major overseas destinations, India’s claimed to be largest low-cost airline IndiGo has reportedly placed an order for procuring 60 Airbus A350-900 aircrafts reported to be delivered from next year.
As per media reports, “Soon after assuming office on August 3 this year, IndiGo’s new chief executive officer (CEO) William Willie Walsh, has batted for the induction of the Airbus A350-900 into the airline to expand overseas operations profitably over the next five years as well as capture a larger share of international traffic and make India a global aviation hub. Walsh shared his views with the shareholders at the 23rd Annual General Body Meeting of InterGlobe Aviation, i.e. IndiGo’s parent company.”
Media reports, citing aviation experts, also stated that, “The Airbus A350-900 aircraft can carry 300 to 350 passengers in a standard three-class seating configuration and has an average range of 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km). Such an initiative by IndiGo could not only widen its overseas operations, but also could enable the airline to fly non-stop from Delhi and Mumbai airports to overseas destinations like North America’s east coast and Midwest, all major hubs in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, along with Seoul (South Korea) and Tokyo (Japan).”
It is being claimed that, “IndiGo currently operates flights to over 35 destinations in West Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.”
Media reports has further stated that, “Currently, IndiGo owns no widebody aircraft, while six widebody aircrafts it has now been on lease from the North Atlantic Airways. IndiGo’s own fleet consists of over 400 narrowbody Airbus jets, including the A320neo family aircraft and A321XLRs, as well as ATRs. IndiGo has also hired almost 300 pilots in the aftermath of its December meltdown last year.”
Notably, “The Airbus A350-900 is a long-range, wide-body, twin-engine airliner designed for efficiency, comfort, and operational flexibility, accommodating 332–352 passengers over ultra-long distances. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 high-bypass turbofan engines, providing a range of up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 km) non-stop. It is further claimed to be the cornerstone of the Airbus A350 family, featuring a clean-sheet design with advanced aerodynamics, adaptive wings, and a fuselage made of over 70% advanced materials, including 53% composites and 14% titanium, which reduce weight and maintenance while improving fuel efficiency and range.”
