IndiGo becomes the first Indian airline with Sharklet equipped A320

Operators benefit from up to four per cent fuel burn savings

28 January 2013

A320 Sharklet Indigondia’s largest airline, IndiGo has taken delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices, becoming the first Indian carrier to do so. Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and significantly cut the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by four per cent on longer sectors.

Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft, and standard on all members of the A320neo Family. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms. All future A320 aircraft to be delivered to IndiGo shall be fitted with the Sharklet wing tip devices.

“In little over six years since we began operating, our low fares and high service ethos at IndiGo has enabled us to grow to become India’s largest domestic carriers. We already operate one of the world’s youngest most fuel efficient fleets and our investment in Sharklet will help reduce our fuel consumption even further,” said Aditya Ghosh, IndiGo’s President.

IndiGo placed an order for 100 A320 aircraft in 2005. In addition IndiGo was the first Indian airline to order the NEO with a contract for 150 A320neo and 30 A320s placed in 2011.

“With high fuel prices and with a four per cent fuel burn reduction, IndiGo’s investment in the Sharklet will pay handsome dividends, said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “We are delighted with IndiGo’s choice to grow their airline with Airbus.”

IndiGo, is an all Airbus operator and the largest low cost airline in India today. It began operations in 2006 and has a fleet of 62 A320s today. So far IndiGo’s cumulative order for Airbus aircraft is for 280 A320 Family aircraft including 130 A320neo,

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,000 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,400 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.