Airbus signs IndiGo deal

AIRBUS has heralded its biggest-ever single order for 250 passenger jets worth £17bn from Indian budget carrier IndiGo.

The deal means the low-cost airline has to date ordered 530 A320 aircraft from European aerospace giant, with all the wings designed and manufactured in Britain.

Airbus is one of the largest UK industrial employers with 16,000 workers including 6,000 at its factory in Broughton, North Wales. IndiGo yesterday confirmed a deal first signed in October for 250 A320neos – a new version of the bestselling aircraft which includes latest generation engines and large wing-tip devices to reduce aerodynamic drag and together cut fuel bills by 15pc.

India’s air transport sector is growing quickly in an era of discount air fares and after decades of Indians being forced to endure travelling long distances on rickety uncomfortable trains. The emergence of a newly-wealthy middle class in a nation of 1.25bn people has also pushed up demand for air travel. John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for 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.’

IndiGo placed an order in 2005 for 100 A320s which have all been delivered.

In 2011 it became the first Indian operator to commit to buying the A320neo, taking its total to 280 Airbus jets.