IndiGo’s early talks with Embraer over a major regional jet order could reshape India’s domestic routes and mark Embraer’s largest commercial sale in the country, amid new certification approvals and local manufacturing ambitions.
IndiGo is in early talks with Embraer over a possible order for E2 regional jets that could eventually displace part of its ATR turboprop fleet and lift capacity on domestic feeder routes, according to Bloomberg. The discussions are said to be at a preliminary stage, with no certainty they will lead to a deal, but the scale under review could run to dozens of aircraft and become Embraer’s biggest commercial sale in India.
The timing is notable because India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation granted type certification in July 2026 to Embraer’s E190, E195 and E195-E2 models, opening the door for commercial operations in the country. Embraer said its E175 had already been certified and is in service with Star Air. Aviation industry outlets noted that the E195-E2 in particular is being positioned as a fuel-efficient option with a modern cabin for regional flying.
For Embraer, a breakthrough order from IndiGo would do more than add to its sales book. The Brazilian planemaker has said it wants to build aircraft in India if demand is strong enough, and chief executive Francisco Gomes Neto has previously linked that ambition to a large order threshold for the E175. Embraer has also deepened its local presence through a partnership with the Adani Group to explore manufacturing opportunities and by opening an India office in New Delhi last year.
IndiGo, meanwhile, would gain a jet that sits between its ATRs and Airbus narrowbodies, giving it more flexibility on routes where turboprops may be too small but mainline aircraft too large. That could matter in a market where passenger demand continues to rise and airlines are planning for long-term expansion. If the talks advance, the deal would also underline how fiercely manufacturers are competing for a bigger foothold in India’s fast-growing aviation sector.
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