With Boeing forecasting demand for 1,740 new commercial aircraft – mostly narrowbodies – in India over the next 20 years, we’re asking what is obviously the most important question of all: what will they look like? Here’s our snapshot survey of India’s leading airline liveries, organised by fleet size (data: Flightglobal Ascend; images: AirTeamImages)
1. Jet Airways
104 aircraft in service (74 737s, 18 ATR 72s, eight A330s, four 777s),15 on order
With India’s largest domestic network and international services to destinations across Asia, in Europe, Canada and the United States, Jet is number-one by fleet size. Etihad holds a short quarter of its shares.
Jet Airways Airbus A330-300
AirTeamImages
2. Air India
With 102 aircraft in service, the state-owned flag carrier is still a big beast, but with just 11 on order it looks set to slip down the fleet size table.
Air India Boeing 747-400
AirTeamImages
3. IndiGo
97 A320s in service, 430 on order
Privately-owned Indigo flies domestic and international routes; in March it was reported to be hoping to raise at least Rs25 billion ($400 million) through an initial public offering, expected to be launched in the first quarter of the 2015-2016 financial year. And, the company made big noise this week with an order for 250 A320neos - the biggest-ever order by number for Airbus.
IndiGo Airbus A320-200
AirTeamImages
4. SpiceJet
35 aircraft in service (19 737s, 14 Dash 8s, two A319s), 42 on order
Financial stability has not been SpiceJet’s calling card – it was grounded in December 2014 for five days after being denied fuel, with accumulated debts in excess of Rs10 billion ($161 million) – but the carrier recorded a net profit of Rs225 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2015; its first profit in seven quarters.
SpiceJet Boeing 737-800
AirTeamImages
5. GoAir
19 A320s in service, 72 on order
The privately-owned low-cost carrier became eligible to apply to operate international services with the delivery of its 20th Airbus A320 in July 2014, and plans to do so this summer, to the Gulf states.
GoAir Airbus A320-200
AirTeamImages
6. Air India Regional
10 aircraft in service (four ATR 72s, three ATR 42s, three CRJ700s), and one on order
The regional division of Air India, also known as Alliance Air, likes its tailfins.
Air India Express Boeing 737-800s
AirTeamImages
7. Vistara
6 A320s in service, 14 on order
The joint-venture between Indian conglomerate Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines launched services in January 2015.
Vistara A320-200
AirTeamImages
8. Air Asia India
5 A320s in service
AirAsia's Indian-controlled joint-venture subsidiary launched in 2014 with gung-ho plans typical of the group, but appears to have cooled off; aggressive launch plans to add one aircraft to its fleet monthly now look like getting as far as a total of seven to 10 jets by the end of this year.
AirAsia India Airbus A320
AirTeamImages
9. Air Costa
4 aircraft in service (two Embraer 190s, two E170s) and 50 on order (25 190E2s, 25 195E2s)
The privately-owned regional operates scheduled services in southern India from its Vijayawada base, in the unfortunately named Dhoom Building.
Air Costa Embraer 170LR
AirTeamImages
10. Air Pegasus
1 ATR 72 in service
The airline arm of the ground handling company Decor Group won its flying permit from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation earlier this year and is believed to have started service in June, but no known photographer has verified movements.
Air Pegasus ATR 72, reported to exist
Air Pegasus
Source: FlightGlobal.com
