IndiGo is in early-stage talks to buy 100 regional jets from Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, with options for about 50 additional aircraft, in a potential deal that could become one of the largest commercial orders in the planemaker’s history, according to a Reuters report published by Economic Times.
Three people with direct knowledge of the discussions said the negotiations were not finalised. IndiGo and Embraer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The aircraft model and final quantity remain undecided, and the deal is not guaranteed, the sources said.
If concluded, the order would give IndiGo a significant fleet commitment beyond its existing narrow-body and wide-body expansion plans. Deliveries of the Embraer aircraft are likely to begin in or after 2030, according to the people cited in the report. The timing indicates that any agreement would form part of the airline’s longer-term capacity and network planning rather than address an immediate aircraft shortage.
Embraer has been promoting its regional aircraft among Indian airlines as domestic air travel expands beyond the country’s largest metropolitan routes. Its E175 can carry up to 88 passengers, while the larger E190-E2 and E195-E2 can accommodate up to 114 and 146 passengers, respectively. The aircraft under discussion with IndiGo have not been identified.
Regional jets can allow airlines to operate routes where demand may not support larger narrow-body aircraft. For Indian cities, that could support more direct links between smaller urban centres and larger aviation hubs, although the actual connectivity impact would depend on the aircraft selected, delivery schedule, airport capacity and IndiGo’s final deployment decisions. The report does not establish which routes or airports would be served.
The possible purchase would also deepen Embraer’s efforts to expand its presence in India’s aviation manufacturing and commercial aircraft market. Earlier this year, the Brazilian company signed a non-binding pact with Adani Defence & Aerospace to explore a final assembly line in India for its E175 aircraft. That proposal remains separate from the reported IndiGo discussions.
The potential order comes as IndiGo continues to plan for fleet growth across different aircraft categories. The airline expects to receive its first Airbus A350 in the second quarter of 2028, according to a separate statement by CEO Willie Walsh cited in the report. The possible Embraer order would therefore represent an additional regional-aircraft strategy alongside the airline’s plans for larger aircraft.
At list prices, 100 aircraft could be worth billions of dollars, although discounts are common in commercial aircraft transactions. The final value, aircraft mix, options and delivery schedule will depend on the outcome of negotiations. Reuters said it was the first to report the number of aircraft and options being considered in the talks.
