AIRBUS: IndiGo ‘firms up’ largest ever order worth £17 BILLION

IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, firmed up an order to buy 250 Airbus A320neo single-aisle jets.

The deal worth an estimated £17bn was signed on August 15, a significant day for India as the country celebrated the 69th Independence Day of India.

In 2011 IndiGo became the first Indian operator to commit to the A320neo bringing their total to 280 Airbus aircraft.

With today’s announcement, IndiGo total orders for the A320 Family aircraft has reached 530.

John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers said:

“It fills us with pride that IndiGo, India’s largest airline and one of the early launch customers for the A320neo, is coming back for more of our benchmark aircraft. This order confirms the A320 Family as the airliner of choice in the most dynamic aviation growth markets. We thank IndiGo and its Co-Founders, Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia for their tremendous vote of confidence,” 

Wings for the A320 are manufactured at the Airbus wing making facility in Broughton.

Back in June reports said Airbus was considering a significant increase in A320 production rates as a result of the current backlog.

“A rate of 63 (per month) is clearly justified,” Airbus COO John Leahy said  “I’m highly confident the market justifies that as long as we have a stable supply chain.”

The current A320 family production rate is currently 42 per month.

Airbus plans to make an announcement about its A320 and A320neo production plans before year’s end.