IndiGo in negotiation with Airbus, Boeing for wide-bodied aircraft

Oct 15, 2018: IndiGo has stated that it is in talks with manufacturers to add wide-bodied aircraft to its fleet but there is no firm timeline amid difficult market conditions in the Indian market.

IndiGo recently reported a steep fall in quarterly profit due to higher fuel prices and continued pressure on yields reflecting price competition.

“Wide-bodied aircraft are an aspiration, we have talked to manufacturers. We are looking at A330neo and Boeing 787,” said Willy Boulter, chief commercial officer.

IndiGo has announced direct flights, starting from Oct 15 to Kochi and Kozhikode to Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In the Gulf, the airline has direct flights to Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE as well as to Doha and Muscat. Flights to Kuwait will be launched this week, to Saudi Arabia in November and Hong Kong in December, Boulter said.

In early 2019, IndiGo plans to start flights to London with an Airbus A321 aircraft stopping at a mid-point that is yet to be confirmed, he said.

IndiGo is working closely with the Indian government to take advantage of opportunities under bilateral agreements where travel rights will become available for additional markets, he said, adding that IndiGo has applied for rights to Europe and Asia.

The first batch of Airbus A321neo aircraft with 222 seats will be delivered next month.