Airbus to deliver A320neos to IndiGo beginning this March

European aviation major Airbus will start delivering new engine technology aircraft A320neos to low-cost carrier Indigo from next month, the airline announced today.

IndiGo was scheduled to induct these planes in the fleet from December last year.

"We are delighted to announce that Airbus has confirmed that beginning with March 2016, it will deliver 24 fuel efficient A320neos aircraft to the airline between March 2016 and March 2017 as compared to the original plan to deliver 26 A320neos," a release said.

"The new A320neos powered by Pratt and Whitney's fuel efficient geared turbo fan engines will enable us to structurally reduce our costs as fuel continues to be the single largest element of our cost structure," IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh said.

"This also marks the beginning of the next phase of IndiGo's growth and will enable it to make air transportation far more accessible for the flyers," Ghosh said.

Airbus had in December informed IndiGo about the possible delay in delivery of the aircraft, which the manufacturer claims burns 10-15 per cent less fuel than the existing versions.

The airline had then said "at this time, IndiGo does not have a clear visibility of its future A320 neos delivery schedule and the potential for additional delays exists." IndiGo had announced to acquire 180 A320s including 150 A320 neos in 2011, the largest aircraft order by any Indian carrier at that time.