Airbus to close in on 500-jet IndiGo deal

Airbus is getting closer to closing a deal to sell 500 of its narrow-body A320 jets to Indian airline, IndiGo, Reuters reported on Sunday.

The European aircraft manufacturer is now expected to win an order that will surpass Air India’s landmark tentative purchase of 470 jets in February.

Airbus is also competing with Boeing to sell IndiGo 25 of their wide-body jets separately.

The Airbus deal is expected to reach $50 billion, according to Airbus’s recently updated price list, but is more likely to cost less after discounts applied by the aviation sector.

IndiGo is aiming to double its capacity by the end of this current decade and expand its network, especially in international markets.

The Indian airline has also partnered with seven other carriers, including Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, and KLM.