IndiGo to buy 28 Airbus aircraft this year and next

Currently, IndiGo holds the largest domestic market share at 29.8% as of April 2013

Budget carrier IndiGo Monday said it has been permitted by the government to import 28 Airbus A320 aircraft in 2013 and 2014.

"The additional aircraft will enable IndiGo to take its low fare and hassle-free service to more customers and enable stronger connectivity within India and abroad," the airline said in a statement.

Currently, IndiGo holds the largest domestic market share at 29.8 percent as of April 2013.

The airline provides 422 flights connecting 33 destinations with a fleet of 66 Airbus A320 aircraft.

The low cost passenger carrier is in an expansion mode. Recently it announced launch of seven new flights on its domestic network from May 30, including direct flights between Mumbai-Jammu, Chennai-Kochi, Mumbai-Srinagar, Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram, Jammu-Srinagar and Mumbai-Kochi.

The company has announced it will commence Mumbai-Muscat service with daily direct flights from June 15.

In 2011, the company had signed a $15 billion deal with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for buying 180 A320 aircraft, which was the biggest ever single firm order of that time.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at that time was for 180 eco-efficient A320 aircraft, of which 150 will be the neo option and 30 will be standard A320s.