IndiGo Expands Long-Haul Network to Europe and Africa Amid Global Growth Push
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is set to make a major leap in its international strategy by expanding long-haul operations to Europe and Africa. This ambitious move is designed to capitalize on India’s booming outbound tourism market and marks a significant shift from IndiGo’s traditionally short-haul, low-cost business model.
According to CEO Pieter Elbers, the airline will roll out a mix of widebody and long-range narrowbody aircraft to support the expansion. These include Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A321-200NY(XLR) jets. Elbers confirmed that IndiGo will induct 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft starting in 2027, signaling the airline’s long-term commitment to international growth.
In the near term, IndiGo will bolster its widebody fleet by adding three B787-9s on damp lease from Norse Atlantic Airways in the second half of 2025. This adds to one B787-9 it already damp-leases. The airline also has a substantial order book, including 69 A321XLRs from Airbus, which are key to launching long-haul routes from secondary Indian cities.
Unlike legacy carriers focused on hub-and-spoke models, IndiGo aims to strengthen point-to-point international connectivity. “Rather than focusing mostly on transit passengers, our goal is to enhance direct international connectivity from multiple Indian cities,” Elbers told Bloomberg. This approach is designed to serve both Indian outbound travelers and incoming foreign tourists, with a focus on convenience and cost-efficiency.
Having entered the international market nearly 14 years ago, IndiGo is now positioning long-haul international routes at the center of its next growth phase. The airline already commands a dominant 64% share of India’s domestic market and is now looking to replicate its success on global routes.
Fleet data from ch-aviation shows that IndiGo currently operates 433 aircraft. This includes 38 A320-200s (12 of which are wet-leased), 194 A320-200Ns, 136 A321-200NXs, three A321-200(P2F)s, and 48 ATR72-600 turboprops. On the wet-lease front, IndiGo also utilizes eight Boeing B737-8 MAXs, two B737-800s, two B777-300ERs, and one B787-9 to support its operations.
Looking ahead, IndiGo has a staggering 921 aircraft on order. These include one A320-200, 241 A320-200Ns, 580 A321-200NXs, 69 A321-200NY(XLR)s, and 30 A350-900s. This aggressive fleet expansion supports the airline’s goal to become a major global player, offering direct connectivity between India and key global destinations.
IndiGo’s pivot to long-haul international routes is a bold move that reflects changing market dynamics and growing demand for direct international travel from India. If successful, the airline could redefine how low-cost carriers operate in the long-haul space—offering travelers more choices while setting a new benchmark for India’s aviation sector.
Related News: https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com