The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted in-principle approval to two major Indian airlines, Air India Ltd. and Interglobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo), for the import of a significant number of aircraft to strengthen their fleets. Air India has been granted approval to import 470 aircraft, while IndiGo has been given the green light to import 500 aircraft, according to a statement released by the DGCA.
The details of the aircraft approved for import by the DGCA are;
AIR INDIA
- A320 Neo family: 210 aircraft
- B737 family: 140 aircraft
- A350 family: 40 aircraft
- B777-9: 10 aircraft
- B787-9: 20 aircraft
- B737-8: 50 aircraft
INDIGO
- A320 Neo family: 500 aircraft
To ensure the smooth integration of these additional aircraft into the existing infrastructure, the DGCA has confirmed that adequate parking slots will be made available at the time of granting the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the actual import of the aircraft. Both Air India and IndiGo have proposed an induction plan spanning from 2023 to 2035 for importing the approved aircraft types.
The induction of such a large number of aircraft by both Air India and IndiGo demonstrates their commitment to growth and expansion in the Indian aviation market. These additional aircraft are expected to bolster their capacity, enhance operational efficiency, and cater to the rising demand for air travel in the coming years.
With the potential addition of 970 aircraft in the pipeline, the Indian aviation landscape is set to witness a transformation, as Air India and IndiGo gear up to meet the increasing air travel demand and continue their contributions to the growth of the Indian economy.
