IndiGo taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR – the first for an India-based airline.
IndiGo taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR – the first for an India-based airline.
The newly delivered A321XLR – registered as VT-NLA – completed its delivery flight from Airbus' Hamburg, Germany facility to Delhi on January 7. IndiGo stated the long-range A321neo variant will operate its first flight between Mumbai and Athens on January 23, then the Delhi-Athens route from January 24. The A321XLR will be used on three weekly flights on both routes.
IndiGo's A321XLR features a 195 seats in a dual-class configuration including 12 IndiGoStretch and 183 Economy seats.
With an order for a total of 40 A321XLR aircraft, IndiGo expects to take delivery of 9 jets during the year. As more A321XLRs are delivered, IndiGo plans to use the aircraft on long-haul routes to Europe and East Asia such as to Istanbul and Denpasar (Bali).
In a statement, IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers said: “IndiGo is honoured to be the first Indian airline to welcome the Airbus A321XLR into its fleet – an important milestone as we prepare to redefine long-haul travel for India. The advanced capabilities of this aircraft enable us to reach newer regions across the globe and further strengthen India’s position as a key player in international aviation. This reinforces our commitment to giving wings to the nation by connecting it to the world.”
“The arrival of the first A321XLR marks a new milestone in our journey with IndiGo and a proud moment for Indian aviation,” said Jürgen Westermeier, President & Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia. “We are honoured by the trust IndiGo places in Airbus, and we remain committed to supporting the airline as it continues to give wings to the nation’s aviation aspirations. By opening up mid-to-long- haul routes that were previously unreachable by single-aisle aircraft, this delivery serves as a catalyst for IndiGo's international growth while significantly enhancing India’s global connectivity. The A321XLR will act as a bridge, linking Indian cities to new destinations across the world and further support India’s ambition to become a global aviation hub.”
IndiGo's fleet comprises of over 400 aircraft – including over 300 narrowbody Airbus A320/A321 family aircraft including the A320neo and A321neo.
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