Since starting out nearly two decades ago, IndiGo has achieved several milestones as it created waves within the Indian aviation industry. And just recently, the budget carrier reached another milestone as it announced housing 300 aircraft in a still-growing fleet. This means that IndiGo is not just the biggest Indian low-cost carrier. It is also has the biggest fleet in the country.

Largest fleet in India

Out of this significant 300, IndiGo's fleet primarily consists of turbofan narrowbodies, such as housing 21 Airbus A320-200s, 160 Airbus A320neos, two Airbus A321-200s, and 78 Airbus A321neos. These narrowbodies aid the low-cost carrier in its domestic and regional flight operations. Also in this extensive fleet is a handful of turboprops, exactly 37 ATR 72s, and a couple of passenger-converted Airbus A321-200 freighters.

IndiGo ATR 72-600
Photo: WeChitra | Shutterstock.

And at 300 aircraft strong, the budget carrier's fleet is the largest out of all scheduled airlines operating in India. The following two largest fleets are operated by flag carrier Air India and low-cost carrier SpiceJet, with the airlines housing over 100 aircraft in their individual fleets. Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers celebrated this milestone by saying:

"Our fleet now stands at 300 aircraft, giving wings to our ambitions. We have recently expanded operations across the west, east, and northeast India as well as the Middle East. The strong fleet will help us cater to emerging travel demands with the addition of capacity across domestic and international destination shores."

But IndiGo is not just stopping with its fleet growth just yet, as the low-cost carrier is soon expecting two new ATR 72s, registered VT-IRG and VT-IRH, alongside two new Airbus A320neos. While keeping in the spirit of twos, IndiGo is also expecting a couple of Airbus A320neos. It's also worth noting that the airline still awaits over 500 aircraft from Airbus.

Multiple IndiGo A320s parked at Hyderabad Airport .
Photo: Abdul Munaff | Shutterstock

Get all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying!

Future plans for an even bigger fleet

But besides enforcing its narrowbody and turboprop strength, IndiGo has plans to tackle more significant international demand. With other rising stars like Akasa Air also eyeing international skies and Air India becoming more dominant internationally, IndiGo has wanted to strengthen its presence overseas.

This means that for the first time in its operational history, the budget carrier will begin utilizing widebody aircraft to meet the growing global demand and its first-ever Boeing aircraft. The widebodies in question will be three Boeing 777-300ERs wet-leased from Turkish Airlines and deployed on high-capacity international routes.

However, the temporary widebodies will do more than just help the low-cost carrier enhance the required capacities, as they would also be a sort of trial for future fleet strategies. With Indian carriers being relatively short of widebody aircraft, IndiGo could eye how changes to its fleet dynamic would be vital in ensuring it remains the most significant low-cost carrier in the country.

IndiGo Airbus A321 tail section
Photo: Savvapanf Photo | Shutterstock

Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today.

Bottom line

Since its inception in 2006, IndiGo has somewhat stayed with the primary low-cost principle of a single-aircraft fleet, although it eventually ventured out of its comfort zone and tried out turboprops with the intake of the ATR 72s. Given the successful venture with turboprops, the budget carrier will likely use the same ideology when trying out the widebodies.

Source: Business Standard