Article Posted on : - Jun 23, 2011

A file photo.

LE BOURGET, PARIS (PTI): In one of the largest aircraft orders in global aviation history, Indian budget carrier Indigo on Wednesday confirmed that it would buy 180 Airbus single-aisle A320 planes.

IndiGo, which had signed an MoU with the major European aircraft manufacturer this January, made a firm commitment to purchase 150 A320neo and 30 A320 aircraft at the airshow here.

"Our order with Airbus will further establish IndiGo as a leading carrier in the Indian market, and one that continues to offer low fares and high service. Our existing order for 100 A320s and the order announced today will help meet India's growing flying market, in the most cost efficient and environmentally responsible way possible," Aditya Ghosh, president of the airliner, said in a statement.

While, Airbus president and CEO Tom Enders said: "This record order for our A320neo will enable IndiGo to achieve the maximum benefit from India’s projected strong passenger traffic growth over the coming years. Today's agreement is clear endorsement of our A320neo."

The order makes IndiGo one of the launch customers of the next generation A320neo planes. Engine selection will be announced by the airline later.

IndiGo had earlier ordered 100 A320s in June 2005. Out of that order, 44 aircraft have already been delivered.

Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide.

The A320neo has over 95 per cent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload.

The A320neo, available from 2015, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called 'Sharklets' delivering fuel savings of 15 per cent.‎