IndiGo defies aviation gloom, prepares mega engine order that could be worth $10 billion
IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, is in talks with Pratt & Whitney and CFM International Inc. for its next batch of jet engine orders, according to people familiar with the matter, a rare sign of dealmaking in a sector that’s been paralyzed by the virus pandemic.
The discussions with the rival manufacturers relate to engines that would power about 150 new Airbus SE A320neo jets, the people said, asking not to be identified because the negotiations are private. Talks are preliminary and there’s no timeline on when any agreement may be reached, the people said.
Based on the size of IndiGo’s last engine order — a $20 billion transaction with CFM that covered 280 planes and was the largest engine order in history — the new agreement could be worth around $10.7 billion, including service, repair, and maintenance.
