IndiGo has ended months of speculation with the announcement of its first long-haul destinations. On Thursday, the Indian carrier confirmed Amsterdam and Manchester will be served nonstop from Delhi.
The new routes will initially be operated by leased aircraft. The Boeing 787-9 planes are sourced from Norse Atlantic Airways and will be flown under a ‘damp lease’ agreement. This means the plane and some of its crew will be provided from Norse, with IndiGo backfilling other roles. The contract was recently extended, with further 787s joining the IndiGo fleet before the end of 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, IndiGo said the Norse aircraft will enable the airline to “make an early entry into the long-haul market and establish itself in Europe.” The Indian carrier has a large order for new Airbus A321XLR and A350 jets, however these are not due to be delivered until 2027.
Pieter Elbers, IndiGo CEO said: ” Today, we unlock a new and very exciting chapter in IndiGo’s growth journey, connecting India to the heart of Europe. These new flights will benefit both our existing and potential customers who fly on these routes.”
Both Amsterdam and Manchester routes will operate three-times weekly and are due to begin in July. The services are subject to final regulatory approvals and what IndiGo describes as “operational preparedness.”
The airline hinted that frequencies could grow further as additional Norse planes join the IndiGo fleet. It also confirmed it is “evaluating multiple other important markets across Europe.”
Pieter Elbers is due to speak at the Skift India Forum in Delhi on March 18. To learn more and to book your ticket, visit live.skift.com.
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