Boeing has just gotten a boost to its hopes in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, India, with an order for 100 new planes by SpiceJet, the #4 airline in India.
India is building many new airports, and its passenger levels are booming. Both those rest on increasing business and wealth and a weak road network.
Boeing estimates India will need 1850 new planes within the next 20 years is hoping to build a stronger customer base; so far SpiceJet is its only large customer there, with market leaders IndiGo, Jet Airways and Air India all buying mainly from Airbus.
The SpiceJet deal is for 737 MAX planes, and includes an option for 50 more. Press reports have been calling it a 205-plane deal, but that includes 55 ordered in 2014 as well as the options.
The new planes will allow SpiceJet to reach destinations about an hour farther than its present fleet, including some international destinations. The 50-plane option allows the possibility that some might be used for longer-range widebody planes.
