To compensate for disruptions in its Airbus fleet, IndiGo Airlines has added two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to its fleet through wet leasing from Corendon Airlines. This move marks a significant step in boosting capacity during the busy winter season.
India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo Airlines, has turned to wet leasing Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to address issues within its Airbus fleet. Recently, the Gurugram-based airline leased two Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets from Corendon Airlines, which arrived in India in December 2024.
What is Wet Leasing?
Wet leasing (ACMI) is a model where the leasing airline provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. The lessee airline pays on a per-flight basis for these services. The leased aircraft, registered as TC-MKC and TC-MKD, are configured entirely in economy class with 189 seats and are only 2.5 years old.
Previously leased to SpiceJet, these aircraft have now been inducted by IndiGo to meet the demands of the busy winter season. Based out of Chennai, the aircraft will operate flights to cities like Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Delhi, and Kolkata.
Challenges with the Airbus Fleet
IndiGo’s fleet of 420 aircraft predominantly consists of Airbus A320 and A321 models. However, supply chain issues with Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines have grounded several of these planes. This situation has prompted IndiGo to maintain its capacity through wet leasing and new aircraft orders.
Global Impact and IndiGo’s Strategy
The Pratt & Whitney engine issues have impacted airlines globally, not just IndiGo. For instance, Go First has ceased operations, and Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy. To mitigate these challenges, IndiGo has enhanced its operational flexibility by leasing various aircraft models from airlines like Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and SmartLynx.
IndiGo has deployed two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from Turkish Airlines for flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul. Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft leased from Qatar Airways are being used for flights to Doha, while Airbus A320 aircraft leased from SmartLynx support domestic operations.
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