Wed Mar 19 15:19:06 UTC 2025: ## IndiGo Delays A321 XLR Delivery to 2026
**New Delhi, March 19, 2025** – IndiGo, India’s largest airline, will now receive its highly anticipated Airbus A321 XLR aircraft in fiscal year 2026, CEO Pieter Elbers announced. The delivery was originally slated for 2024-2025 but has been pushed back due to certification delays at Airbus.
While the exact number of XLRs to be delivered remains under discussion, IndiGo has 69 on order as part of a larger 2019 agreement for 300 A320neo family aircraft. The XLRs, known for their extended range, will allow IndiGo to expand its network to new destinations.
The airline is launching non-stop flights to Europe in July, initially serving Manchester and Amsterdam using leased Boeing 787-9s. These will be replaced by IndiGo’s own Airbus A350s starting mid-2027. The XLRs, with a configuration of 12 business and 183 economy seats, will then enable further European expansion, including potential routes to Athens and Geneva. The aircraft will also unlock longer routes in Asia, such as direct flights from Delhi to Denpasar, Indonesia.
Mr. Elbers clarified that IndiGo has moved beyond the strict low-cost carrier (LCC) model, emphasizing a focus on cost leadership while catering to customer needs.
First Piper 