India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo Airlines (6E), has added four Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet through a wet lease agreement with Turkish airline Freebird Airlines.
IndiGo’s Wet Leasing Initiative
IndiGo opted for wet leasing to address the shortfall caused by grounded Airbus aircraft due to engine issues, maintenance requirements, and supply chain constraints.
Under this arrangement, Antalya-based Freebird Airlines will provide four Airbus A320 aircraft, equipped with CFM 56-5A engines, known for their reliability and ease of maintenance.
Details of the Leased Aircraft
The four aircraft leased from Freebird Airlines are:
- FH901: 13.8 years old, registered as TC-FBV
- FH903: 16.8 years old, registered as TC-FHF
- FH915: 15.8 years old, registered as TC-FHC
- FH917: 11.1 years old, registered as TC-FHP
These aircraft have arrived in India from Antalya and landed at Delhi International Airport (DEL). They will undergo inspections by IndiGo’s maintenance department before being deployed on designated routes.
About Freebird Airlines
Freebird Airlines is an international airline based in Turkey and Malta. Operating under Gözen Holding, the airline primarily conducts charter and scheduled flights to holiday destinations in Europe. Its fleet consists of 14 aircraft, serving more than 100 destinations, and includes a European subsidiary.
IndiGo’s Wet Leasing Strategy
Wet leasing is becoming a standard practice for IndiGo Airlines. Apart from Freebird Airlines, IndiGo has also leased aircraft from SmartLynx Airlines (6Y), Qatar Airways (QR), Corendon Airlines (XC), and Turkish Airlines (TK).
Although IndiGo’s fleet consists of 434 aircraft, 87 are grounded due to maintenance, parts shortages, and other operational issues.
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