In one of the largest-ever aircraft purchases by an airline, IndiGo on Monday announced that it had placed a firm order for 500 narrow-body planes from Airbus as the airline embarks on an ambitious long-term growth path.

The multi-billion dollar deal comes less than five months after Air India placed orders for 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing.

The latest order by IndiGo is the largest-ever aircraft order placed by any airline with Airbus. Financial details of the order were not disclosed.

The aircraft purchase agreement was signed between the airline and Airbus at the Paris Air Show 2023.

The latest order will provide IndiGo a further steady stream of deliveries between 2030 and 2035, the airline said in a release.

Currently, IndiGo operates more than 300 aircraft. It has previous orders totalling 480 aircraft, which are yet to be delivered.

This IndiGo order book comprises a mix of A320NEO, A321NEO and A321XLR aircraft, it said.

During an online media briefing from France after the announcement of the order for 500 aircraft, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said this is a historic moment for Indian aviation and speaks of the future of India and IndiGo.

“IndiGo is further defining its long-term future, well into the next decade, by placing a firm order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft,” the airline said.

According to the release, the evaluation of the offers was shared and discussed with its board, and consequently endorsed.

This new order will bring the strategic relationship between IndiGo and Airbus to an unprecedented depth and breadth, the company said.

“We look forward to contributing to the growth of India’s air connectivity in its domestic network and into international markets through the expansion of this formidable partnership,” Christian Scherer, chief commercial officer and head of international at Airbus, said in a separate release.