IndiGo Secures Top Spot in Airbus Deliveries for 2025
IndiGo has once again emerged as the leading airline for Airbus deliveries in 2025. The Indian carrier, which faced significant operational disruptions in December, accepted 55 new aircraft from the European manufacturer. This achievement solidifies its position as the single largest recipient of Airbus planes globally for the year.
Delivery Numbers Paint a Clear Picture
Airbus successfully delivered 793 aircraft in 2025, slightly exceeding its revised target of 790. The company had initially aimed for 820 deliveries. IndiGo's 55 planes represented approximately 6.93% of Airbus's total output for the year.
Wizz Air followed in second place with 40 deliveries. China Southern Airlines and Delta Air Lines shared the third position, each receiving 38 aircraft. Notably, Air India did not take any new Airbus deliveries in 2025.
A Look Back at Previous Years
IndiGo's performance continues a strong trend. In 2024, the airline took delivery of 58 Airbus planes, accounting for 7.6% of the manufacturer's total that year. Nearly 10% of all Airbus deliveries in 2024 were destined for India.
The carrier's delivery history shows consistent strength:
- 2023: 41 aircraft (5.6% of total Airbus deliveries). IndiGo was second to Delta Air Lines.
- 2022: 49 aircraft, the highest by any airline that year (7.4% of total).
- 2021: 42 aircraft, again topping the list (6.9% of total from 611 Airbus deliveries).
Airbus delivered 766 jets in 2024 against a target of 770.
The XLR Delivery Mystery and Air India's Status
IndiGo took delivery of one A320neo and one A321neo on the final day of 2025. Both Airbus and IndiGo have not commented publicly on the delivery of the new A321XLR variant or provided an exact date. The handover is counted as a delivery once the title transfers at the Airbus facility.
This late-year delivery allowed Airbus to add an extra plane to its annual count. It also helped IndiGo meet its earlier guidance of receiving the XLR within 2025. Meanwhile, Air India's first A350-1000 is officially marked as delivered but has not yet flown to India, presumably awaiting cabin configurations.
Air India, which accepted Airbus deliveries in 2024, took none this year. The airline's massive 2023 order is seeing "white tail" aircraft (built without a specific buyer) delivered first. Line-fit planes are scheduled for later. Air India recently received its first line-fit Dreamliner, with an A350 expected to arrive in Delhi soon.
India's Massive Orderbook with Airbus
India continues to represent a formidable market for Airbus. The current undelivered orderbook is substantial:
- IndiGo: 905 aircraft pending (229 A320s, 616 A321s, and 60 A350s).
- Air India: 343 aircraft pending (90 A320s, 210 A321s, and 43 A350s).
Many of these planes will replace older fleets, but both airlines also have robust expansion plans. The combined backlog exceeds 1,200 aircraft.
What the Future Holds
Both IndiGo and Air India have numerous deliveries scheduled for 2026 and beyond. Some of IndiGo's orders are slated for delivery between 2031 and 2036. For the foreseeable future, even if these airlines do not individually top the annual delivery charts, their combined intake will ensure a significant number of Airbus aircraft continue to flow into India through at least 2030.
The Indian aviation sector's growth trajectory remains firmly upward, powered by these ambitious fleet expansion programs.
