Aerospace

India’s IndiGo places record order for 500 A320 Family aircraft

By placing a definitive order for 500 A320 Family aircraft, IndiGo, the largest airline in India by market share, broke the previous record for the largest single purchase agreement in commercial aviation. With the most recent arrangement, IndiGo has now placed orders for 1,330 Airbus aircraft, making it the largest A320 Family client in the world.

At the Paris Air Show 2023, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, Rahul Bhatia, Promoter & Managing Director of IndiGo, Dr Venkataramani Sumantran, Chairman and Non-Executive Independent Director of IndiGo, Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, and Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International of Airbus, signed the historic purchase agreement.

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said, “It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo’s new historic order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. An order book now of almost 1000 aircraft well into the next decade, enables IndiGo to fulfil its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion and mobility in India. At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline for connectivity in and with India; and by doing so, being one of the leading airlines in the world. This order strongly reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in the growth of India, in the A320 Family and in our strategic partnership with Airbus.”

“This landmark order marks a new chapter in Airbus and IndiGo’s relationship that is democratising affordable air travel for millions of people in the world’s fastest growing aviation market. It is also a resounding endorsement of the A320 Family’s best-in-class operating economics that have been powering IndiGo’s growth for almost two decades. We cherish our long-standing relationship with IndiGo and are proud of our success together. We look forward to contributing to the growth of India’s air connectivity in its domestic network and into international markets through the expansion of this formidable partnership”, said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus.

One of the airlines with the fastest global growth is IndiGo, which has its headquarters in New Delhi. Since receiving its first A320neo aircraft in March 2016, it has built its A320neo Family fleet to become one of the largest in the world, with 264 aircraft currently in service (162 A320neo, 79 A321neo, 21 A320ceo, and 2 A321 freighters). In 2005, IndiGo placed its first order with Airbus (100 A320 Family), followed by additional orders in 2011, 180 A320 Family (including the NEO), 250 Neo Family, and 300 Neo Family in 2019, bringing its total order book to 830 A320 Family aircraft.

The A320neo has played a significant role in democratising air travel in India over the past 20 years as an increasing economy and rising disposable incomes continue to bring millions of new passengers to a booming aviation sector.

The A320 Family is without a doubt the market leader for single-aisle aircraft on a global scale. The aeroplane features the most modern technology and the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. It has improved aerodynamics and the most recent jet engines, which lead to significant fuel consumption and pollution reductions. The A320neo Family is the aircraft family of choice for airlines worldwide across all business models, with more than 8,700 orders from over 130 customers.

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

NASA, Lockheed Martin Reveal X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft:Click here

The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.