GURUGRAM- IndiGo (6E), India’s largest airline, is in early-stage discussions with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to purchase 100 regional jets, with options for approximately 50 additional aircraft, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The potential deal could become one of Embraer’s largest commercial aircraft orders. However, the aircraft model, final quantity and commercial terms remain undecided, with deliveries likely to begin in or after 2030.
IndiGo Explores Major Regional Jet Order From Embraer
IndiGo is considering a significant expansion of its regional aircraft fleet through a potential order for 100 jets from Embraer, with the flexibility to acquire another 50 aircraft through additional options, Reuters reported.
Three people with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters that negotiations remain at an early stage. The potential agreement is not guaranteed, and both manufacturers and the airline have yet to finalise the aircraft selection and order quantity.
The 100-aircraft purchase under consideration could be worth billions of dollars at list prices. However, aircraft manufacturers typically offer substantial discounts on large commercial orders, meaning the final contract value could differ considerably from published list prices.
While discussions between IndiGo and Embraer had been reported previously, Reuters disclosed the potential order’s scale for the first time, including the 100 aircraft and options for approximately 50 more.
Which Embraer Aircraft Could IndiGo Select?
Embraer has several regional aircraft that could fit different capacity requirements within IndiGo’s operations. However, the airline has not selected a particular model, and the discussions do not establish whether the potential order would include one aircraft type or multiple variants.
Embraer’s E175 is the smaller aircraft in the group mentioned in the discussions. It can accommodate up to 88 passengers, making it suitable for operations requiring lower seating capacity.
The manufacturer also offers the larger E190-E2 and E195-E2 models. The E190-E2 can accommodate up to 114 passengers, while the E195-E2 has a maximum seating capacity of 146 passengers.
These aircraft provide different capacity options within the regional and small narrowbody aircraft segment.
| Embraer Aircraft | Maximum Passenger Capacity |
|---|---|
| E175 | 88 |
| E190-E2 | 114 |
| E195-E2 | 146 |
The final aircraft selection will be an important part of the negotiations because each model offers a different passenger capacity. IndiGo has not disclosed which aircraft would form the basis of its potential purchase.
Embraer Strengthens Its Manufacturing Ambitions in India
Embraer has been actively promoting its regional aircraft portfolio to Indian airlines as the country continues to develop its aviation market.
In 2026, the Brazilian manufacturer signed a non-binding agreement with Adani Defence & Aerospace to explore establishing a final assembly line in India for its E175 regional jets.
The proposed facility reflects Embraer’s interest in expanding its industrial presence in the Indian aviation sector. However, the agreement remains exploratory and does not confirm that the assembly line will be established.
A potential aircraft order from IndiGo would represent a significant commercial opportunity for Embraer in India. A large purchase could also strengthen the manufacturer’s position as it seeks to expand its presence in the country’s regional aircraft market.
Nevertheless, the proposed assembly facility and IndiGo’s aircraft discussions remain separate developments. Neither guarantees that the other will progress.
IndiGo’s Potential Aircraft Deliveries Could Begin After 2030
The potential delivery schedule is another important consideration in the discussions. According to people familiar with the matter, deliveries could begin in or after 2030.
The timeline indicates that the proposed acquisition would form part of IndiGo’s longer-term fleet planning rather than an immediate expansion.
However, the delivery schedule remains preliminary because the airline and manufacturer have not finalised the aircraft model, quantity or purchase agreement.
The potential order also remains subject to commercial negotiations. IndiGo could ultimately change the number of aircraft, select different models or decide against completing the transaction.
For Embraer, securing 100 aircraft and options for another 50 would represent a major opportunity in one of the world’s significant aviation markets. For IndiGo, the discussions could open another aircraft category as it evaluates its longer-term fleet requirements.
Until both parties announce a formal agreement, the proposed 100-aircraft purchase should be treated as an early-stage negotiation rather than a confirmed order.
IndiGo Fleet Size and Aircraft Breakdown in October 2026
IndiGo reported a fleet of 442 aircraft as of September 30, 2026, in its second-quarter FY2027 financial results published on October 29, 2026.
The fleet included Airbus A320-family aircraft, ATR turboprops, A321 freighters, and damp-leased Boeing 787s.
IndiGo Fleet Breakdown
| Aircraft Type | Number of Aircraft | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320ceo | 26 | Passenger |
| Airbus A320neo | 174 | Passenger |
| Airbus A321neo | 186 | Passenger |
| Airbus A321XLR | 4 | Passenger |
| ATR 72-600 | 44 | Regional passenger |
| Airbus A321 Freighter | 3 | Cargo |
| Boeing 787-9 | 5 | Damp-leased passenger (Now No Longer in Effect) |
| Total Fleet | 442 |
Source: IndiGo’s September 2026 quarterly results.
The five Boeing 787-9 aircraft were operating under a damp-lease arrangement with Norse Atlantic Airways. IndiGo had announced plans to discontinue its widebody operations in late October 2026 and end the arrangement. Therefore, the 442-aircraft figure represents the company’s September 30 snapshot rather than a confirmed October 31 fleet count.
The Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft form the backbone of IndiGo’s passenger operations. The four A321XLR aircraft support longer international routes, while the ATR 72-600 fleet serves regional markets. The three A321 freighters support its 6E CarGo operations.
IndiGo’s Future Aircraft Orders and Pending Delivery
IndiGo has one of the largest aircraft order books in commercial aviation. Its June 2026 analyst presentation listed 901 aircraft awaiting delivery, covering commitments placed across several years.
The airline’s largest aircraft purchase was the 500-aircraft Airbus A320 Family agreement signed in June 2023. IndiGo also has firm orders for 60 Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft and 40 Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
IndiGo’s Confirmed Aircraft Orders and Future Deliveries
| Aircraft Type | Firm Order Quantity | Delivered | Pending Delivery | Expected Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320 Family (2023 order) | 500 | Part of ongoing fleet deliveries | Part of the overall backlog | 2030-2035 |
| Airbus A321XLR | 40 | 4 | 36 | Ongoing, including planned 2026 deliveries |
| Airbus A350-900 | 60 | 0 | 60 | 2028-2032 |
| Total Reported Order Book | 901 aircraft |
Important: The 901-aircraft figure is the overall outstanding order-book figure reported in IndiGo’s June 2026 analyst presentation. The 500 A320 Family aircraft, 40 A321XLRs and 60 A350-900s are components of the wider order book and must not be added again to the 901 figure. The public summary does not provide a complete, updated model-by-model reconciliation of all 901 aircraft.
IndiGo’s A321XLR programme includes 40 firm aircraft orders. Four had been delivered by September 2026, leaving 36 outstanding. The airline was also expecting further deliveries during 2026.
The A350-900 programme represents IndiGo’s entry into widebody aircraft operations with its own fleet. The airline initially ordered 30 aircraft in April 2024 and subsequently converted another 30 purchase rights into firm orders in October 2025. This increased its confirmed A350-900 commitment to 60 aircraft. IndiGo also retained purchase rights for another 40 A350 Family aircraft, which are not part of the 60 firm orders.
For the 500-aircraft A320 Family order placed in 2023, deliveries are scheduled between 2030 and 2035. The agreement provides a long-term supply of narrowbody aircraft as IndiGo plans its expansion through the next decade.
IndiGo also placed an order for 50 ATR 72-600 aircraft in 2017. ATR confirmed in August 2024 that 45 had been delivered, leaving five at that time. The airline’s September 2026 results list 44 ATR aircraft in its fleet, but do not provide an updated delivery balance for the original order.
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