India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has reportedly held talks with the aircraft manufacturer Embraer over the purchase of up to 100 regional jets. The talks are reportedly at a very early stage, and it is unknown which specific aircraft IndiGo is considering purchasing. If completed, this would be one of Embraer’s largest ever orders, and would help continue the manufacturer’s growth in the Asian aviation market.
How Did We Get Here?
IndiGo reportedly began exploring potential future orders of regional jets in 2024.
The airline reportedly held talks with Embraer, alongside discussions with rival manufacturers Airbus and ATR, over the purchase of up to 100 regional jets.
In February 2026, Embraer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian conglomerate, the Adani Group, the establish a Final Assembly Line for its Embraer E175 regional jet in India.
At the time the MoU was signed, Embraer’s CEO, Francisco Gomes Neto said that,
“The E175 has a global track record of enabling efficient, high-frequency regional operations and India is a key growth market in that segment.”
This was shortly followed by a commitment from the Indian government to invest $3 billion into improving the country’s domestic air connectivity.
Which Embraer Jets will IndiGo Buy?
Neither IndiGo or Embraer have formally indicated which of Embraer’s family of regional jets the airline is considering purchasing.
While focussing on a potential order of E175 jets would allow IndiGo to enjoy the logistical benefits of purchasing aircraft manufactured inside India, Embraer’s larger jets would offer the airline more flexibility regarding passenger numbers.
IndiGo’s CEO, Willie Walsh, reportedly evacuated the reliability and fuel efficiency of the Embraer E190-E2 and Embraer E195-E2 in August this year.
Embraer delivered significantly more models of both the E175 and the E190-E2 jets in the first nine months of 2026, compared to 2025.
Recent reports suggest that a purchase order may include an option for IndiGo to purchase a further 50 Embraer jets, should the airline continue to expand its regional network.
How Important is IndiGo to Embraer?
IndiGo is currently India’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers.
The airline operates services from its hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport (Del) to Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), as well as flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, to ATH and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), alongside its regional network.
IndiGo currently operates a fleet of 362 aircraft, which comprises 38 ATR72 jets as well as 324 narrow-body jets from the Airbus A320 family of aircraft.
Establishing itself as a key supplier for IndiGo would give Embraer a foothold in the Asian regional market, and ensure it could continue to grow sustainably.
The manufacturer has expanded its number of deliveries in each of the past five years, and had delivered more aircraft in the first nine months of 2026 than it did over the same period in 2025.
Should IndiGo order 100 jets from Embraer? If so, which models should it purchase? Let us know what you think in the comments.
