The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted approval to Air India and IndiGo, two prominent players in India’s aviation sector, for the import of aircraft. According to a statement by the Civil Aviation Ministry, Air India has been approved for the import of 470 aircraft, while InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) has been granted approval for importing 500 aircraft.
DGCA Approves Air India and IndiGo’s Aircraft Import
To ensure the availability of parking slots, DGCA has meticulously reviewed and provided a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the import of the aircraft. Both Air India and IndiGo have scheduled the import of the aircraft during the period of 2023 to 2025.
Air India’s import plan includes 210 A320 Neo aircraft, 140 B737 aircraft, 40 A350 aircraft, 10 B777-9 aircraft, 20 B787-9 aircraft, and 50 B737-8 aircraft. On the other hand, IndiGo aims to purchase a total of 500 A320 Neo aircraft.
Currently, Air India operates a fleet of 220 aircraft, while IndiGo boasts a larger fleet of 315 aircraft, making it the leading airline in India in terms of market share and fleet size. The decision to import a substantial number of aircraft is a strategic move by both airlines to meet the growing demand in India’s aviation sector.
Detailed Import Plans
Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, previously emphasized the potential for growth in India’s aviation industry, pointing to the placement of orders for over 900 passenger aircraft by IndiGo and Air India. He highlighted the significant impact of these orders in accelerating the country’s aviation growth, as every $1 invested in the civil aviation sector yields a return of $1.3. Additionally, each direct job created in the aviation sector leads to the creation of six indirect jobs, further boosting the economy.
This DGCA approval comes at a crucial time for Indian airlines as they face parking challenges due to an increasing number of operating aircraft. Presently, India has around 700 operating aircraft, while major airports like Delhi and Mumbai can accommodate parking for only 364 aircraft, highlighting the pressing need for expanding infrastructure to accommodate the industry’s growth.
