National: IndiGo Airlines, the country’s largest low-cost carrier, has approved a capital investment of ₹7,294 crore (USD 820 million) in its wholly owned subsidiary, InterGlobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC Private Limited (IndiGo IFSC). The investment will be infused through a mix of equity shares and 0.01% Non-Cumulative Optionally Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares (OCRPS) in one or more tranches.

According to the airline, the funds raised by IndiGo IFSC will be primarily deployed for the acquisition of aviation assets, enabling the company to accelerate aircraft ownership. IndiGo, which has traditionally relied heavily on operating leases, has in recent years pursued a strategy to achieve a more balanced ownership model and diversify its financing avenues.

The development comes at a time when Gujarat’s GIFT City is emerging as a major global aircraft leasing hub. Officials estimate that nearly 3,000 aviation assets will be leased from GIFT City in the coming years. Several Indian carriers have already shifted their leasing base from Ireland to GIFT City, with 303 assets, including 134 aircraft, 84 engines and 85 APUs, leased so far.

IndiGo is the latest airline to enter the leasing space from GIFT City, further boosting its position as India’s only IFSC and a rapidly growing global aviation financing centre. DeshGujarat