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The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) expects Jet Airways to place an order for a further 100 narrow body aircraft – taking its total of the type to 175, while Vistara is likely to order 50 narrow bodies and 50 wide bodies.
"Jet’s existing order for 75 737 MAX aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2023, will mostly be used for replacement. At present half of its narrow body fleet is aged 9 years or older. Meanwhile, the new order for 100 aircraft is intended for expansion,” CAPA’s outlook for FY 2018 says.
With regard to Vistara, CAPA says that the airline is expected to opt either for a combination of A320s and A350s, or 737s and 777s. "The carrier is reportedly interested in the 777X, but with the first deliveries of the type not expected until 2020 and given current fuel prices, Vistara may alternatively consider the 777-300ER. Taking wide bodies, including 787s, on short term lease from Singapore Airlines – a 49 per cent shareholder in Vistara – is also a possibility,” the report says.
The report adds that with these planned acquisitions India’s order book will reach 1,080 aircraft, the third largest in the world after the USA and China.
CAPA feels that IndiGo’s increasingly aggressive and unprecedented growth is creating a strategic compulsion for others to expand to remain relevant in the market. This is driving over-capacity and increasing industry risks for most carriers.
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