Fast-growing Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has entered the wide-body aircraft space with an order for 30 Airbus A350-900 jets, an order that will help expand the airline’s international network to long-haul destinations.

The acquisition, the carrier notes, reflects the economic growth and rising household income in the country, which it says is on the verge of an international travel boom.

The A350-900, the European aircraft manufacturer’s flagship widebody plane, has a list price of US$317.4 million, putting the total price of the order in the region of US$9.5 billion.

The new aircraft will be powered by Rolls Royce’s Trent XWB engine, and the exact configuration of the aircraft will be decided at a later stage, with deliveries expected to start from 2027.

In addition to the firm order for 30 A350-900s, the carrier has purchase rights for an additional 70 Airbus A350 family aircraft, at its discretion, for possible future needs under certain conditions.

Last June, the carrier placed the largest-ever single aircraft order by any airline for 500 aircraft with Airbus.

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient wide-body aircraft in the 300 to 410 seat category. Its new generation engines and use of lightweight materials offers buyers a 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions, compared with previous generations of competitor aircraft.

Pieter Elbers, the airline’s CEO, says: “The 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft will allow IndiGo to embark on its next phase of becoming one of the leading global aviation players.”