India's largest airline IndiGo is in discussions to purchase 100 Embraer regional jets, with an option for approximately 50 additional aircraft, according to reports from Reuters. The discussions are currently at an early stage, with a deal not guaranteed at this point. The aircraft model has not been finalized, and the number of planes under discussion represents the first time this scale of potential order has been reported in the market. IndiGo and Embraer did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ongoing negotiations. As per Reuters, if the deal materializes, it would demonstrate IndiGo's strategic planning for more short-haul, regional routes beyond high-volume trunk flights between major cities.
Budget airline IndiGo recorded the largest cockpit crew hiring by an Indian airline, recruiting approximately 600 pilots in the first phase of FY26, according to The Times of India. The airline is likely to add at least 400 more pilots by the end of March 2027, bringing total pilot strength from 5,700 as of March 31, 2026 to 6,300 by September 2026. IndiGo's CEO Willie Walsh, who took charge in August, confirmed during media interactions that the company will ensure "more than enough pilots to meet the schedules that we have for the airline." Walsh noted that "the geopolitical situation is challenging" and highlighted that aviation turbine fuel accounts for 32% of airlines' operating cost globally, but in India, that figure is higher at 40%.
InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, continued its quarterly losses to a third consecutive quarter, recording a net loss of ₹1,879 crore in the September quarter, as reported by The Times of India. Despite the losses, the company reported a 26% increase in revenue to ₹23,364 crore in the July-September quarter. The airline carried 2.75 crore passengers in the September quarter, marking a dip of about 4.7% from last year. IndiGo recently announced another hike in fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights amid rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs, with CEO Willie Walsh stating "the company has 'no choice' but to raise fares" to manage the sharp increase in fuel expenses.
Embraer has been actively marketing its regional jets to Indian airlines and signed a non-binding pact with Adani Defence & Aerospace this year to explore a final assembly line in India for its older-generation E175-E2 jets, which can seat up to 88 passengers, according to Reuters. The Brazilian manufacturer also produces the larger E190-E2 and E195-E2 jets, which feature newer, more fuel-efficient engines and can seat up to 114 and 146 passengers respectively. Embraer Chief Executive Francisco Gomes Neto told Reuters in March that the India assembly line plan hinged on orders for at least 200 aircraft, and that jets assembled in India could be delivered from 2028 if orders were secured by the end of this year.
An Embraer order could enable IndiGo to increase its routes to regional areas and replace some of its 44 ATR turboprops, allowing the airline to offer more seats on existing routes, as reported by Reuters. IndiGo CEO Willie Walsh, who took charge in August, has stated that the airline will expand its fleet to around 600 aircraft by 2030 from 442 as of September. Currently, Star Air is the only Indian airline operating Embraer jets, making this potential order particularly significant for the Brazilian manufacturer's expansion in the Indian market. The deal would also provide Embraer with valuable order backlog, a running tally of future deliveries that helps investors gauge demand and helps the manufacturer plan staffing, parts capacity, and cash needs years ahead.
