SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) could become India's first long haul low-cost carrier following claims it has optioned B787s as part of its latest order with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) for 100 B737 MAXs.

The Times of India reports the LCC will first lease in B787 metal as an initial test of the market's waters. Should the experiment prove successful, it may then decide to firm up the type's options.

SpiceJet declined to comment on the claims.

According to the ch-aviation route database, SpiceJet's modest international network extends to Dubai International, Muscat, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Colombo International, Kabul, and Malé all of which are served with its fleet of two B737-700s, twenty-three B737-800s, and four B737-900(ER)s. It has 155 B737 MAX on firm order from Boeing with an additional fifty purchase rights.

In terms of India's international market, it is the eighth largest carrier by weekly international capacity controlling 20,930 (2.94%) of the 712,567 total weekly seats out of India currently available. Jet Airways (JAI, Mumbai International) is the most dominant with 104,491 followed by Air India (AI, Delhi International) and Emirates (EK, Dubai International) with 74,569 (10.46%) and 61,935 (8.69%) seats respectively.

Official statistics published by the Indian Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) indicate the country's international passenger traffic has grown at an average rate of 9.54% per annum over the past decade or so.

In terms of actual figures, the number stood at 23,371,684 in 2006/7 whereas for the Year 2015/16, it stood at 49,785,443 passengers (in- and out-bound).