IndiGo gets nod to import 28 A320 Airbus aircraft

Budget carrier IndiGo has been permitted to import 28 Airbus A320 aircraft in 2013 and 2014.

The airline provides 422 flights connecting 33 destinations with a fleet of 66 Airbus A320 aircraft and currently holds the largest domestic market share at 29.8 per cent as of April 30, 2013.

"The additional aircraft will enable IndiGo to take its low fare and hassle-free service to more customers and enable stronger connectivity within India and abroad," the airline said in a statement.

The low cost passenger carrier is in an expansion mode.

Recently it announced launch of seven new flights on its domestic network from May 30, including direct flights between Mumbai-Jammu, Chennai-Kochi, Mumbai-Srinagar, Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram, Jammu-Srinagar and Mumbai-Kochi.

IndiGo has also announced it will commence Mumbai-Muscat service with daily direct flights from June 15.

In 2011, the company had signed a $15 billion deal with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for buying 180 A320 aircraft, which was the biggest ever single firm order of that time.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at that time was for 180 eco-efficient A320 aircraft, of which 150 will be the neo option and 30 will be standard A320s.

with inputs from IANS