IndiGo Expands Europe with 787-9 Lease & New Roles
Indian carrier IndiGo is accelerating its international ambitions ahead of its upcoming launch of nonstop flights to key European cities. The airline is now recruiting airport managers to be based at major hubs in London, Paris, and Amsterdam, signaling a major shift from its traditional short-haul, narrowbody operations to a broader long-haul strategy.
A New Chapter in International Expansion
As part of its expansion, IndiGo plans to introduce nonstop services from its main base in Mumbai to London-Heathrow (LHR), Paris-Charles De Gaulle (CDG), and Amsterdam-Schiphol (AMS) later in 2025. This strategic move will position IndiGo, one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, to compete directly with rival Air India, which has been revitalizing its international offerings in recent years. To support this new phase, the carrier has secured a wet lease agreement with Oslo-based Norse Atlantic Airways for up to six Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Under the agreement signed in November 2024, the first two 787-9 jets are set to arrive as early as February 2025, with the remaining four expected in September 2025—subject to final agreements, mutual approvals, and necessary regulatory clearances.
Strengthening European Operations
In a related effort, IndiGo has opened internal recruitment for airport manager positions at London, Paris, and Amsterdam, with applications beginning on January 13, 2025. These managerial roles will be pivotal in ensuring smooth operations as the airline ramps up services in its new European markets. With an emphasis on operational readiness ahead of the northern summer travel peak, IndiGo is eager to capitalize on the heightened demand during this period.
Fleet and Network Expansion
Historically, IndiGo has operated a fleet primarily composed of narrowbody aircraft from the Airbus A320 and A320neo families. In 2024, the carrier supplemented its fleet by wet leasing several aircraft from European ACMI providers and recently announced a deal to lease six 189-seat Boeing 737s from Corendon Airlines for the northern winter season (December 14, 2024 – March 29, 2025). However, the long-term strategy involves a significant network expansion. In addition to the Norse 787-9s, IndiGo is set to welcome its first Airbus A321XLR in 2025, which is expected to serve routes connecting India with secondary European cities. Looking further ahead, the airline has placed a major order for 30 Airbus A350-900 widebody jets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027, aiming to further bolster its international route network.
Driving a New Era for IndiGo
The expanded European network, combined with the fresh aircraft acquired via wet lease, is a key component of IndiGo’s broader plan to increase its international presence in 2025 and beyond. By quickly filling the gap between its current narrowbody fleet and the future arrival of widebody jets, IndiGo aims to capture new markets and drive growth. The fresh focus on long-haul operations signals a profound change in the carrier’s operational strategy, setting it on a path toward becoming a truly global airline.
As IndiGo continues to build momentum with new routes and modern aircraft, airline network planners and industry stakeholders are watching closely. The recruitment of airport managers for London, Paris, and Amsterdam will be vital to ensure that operations run smoothly at these critical hubs, further positioning IndiGo as a formidable competitor in the increasingly crowded transcontinental market.
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