IndiGo today dropped a massive set of announcements that signal its ambitions to move well beyond being a domestic powerhouse. These announcements were made at a press event held by the airline on the eve of the IATA AGM, which will be hosted by IndiGo in New Delhi from Sunday, June 1, 2025, onwards.

With plans that stretch from new long-haul destinations in Europe to stepping up its premium game and building its own MRO, IndiGo is making clear moves toward becoming a global airline by 2030.  Let’s break down what’s coming.

Europe, Here We Come: IndiGo’s Long-Haul Plans Firm Up

After years of operating primarily short- and medium-haul routes, IndiGo is finally stepping confidently into the long-haul game. Starting July 2025, non-stop flights will connect Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam. And that’s just the beginning.

As part of a damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways, IndiGo will induct six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into its fleet by early 2026. These widebody jets will power new routes to London and Copenhagen, and possibly more as IndiGo gets comfortable with its long-haul operations.

In parallel, the new A321XLRs, expected to arrive during FY26, will allow IndiGo to connect thinner but longer international routes. The airline plans to use these to launch flights to Athens, adding yet another European capital to its map. IndiGo states the XLRs will add a couple of hours of flying range to the current A321Neo configuration for the airline.

A Widening Global Footprint: 10 New International Destinations

IndiGo’s international network is about to get a major boost with 10 new international destinations, taking the count to over 50. Here’s what’s on the radar:

• Central Asia: Non-stop flights to Almaty and Tashkent will return but from Mumbai rather than Delhi, with four more Central Asian cities being added.
• Southeast Asia: Direct flights to Siem Reap (Cambodia) mark a new country entry, while additional capacity will be deployed to Denpasar (Bali), Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi.
• Caucasus Region: Tbilisi will see new flights from Mumbai.

This expansion comes on the heels of last year’s successful launches to Langkawi, Penang, and Krabi, all part of IndiGo’s push to tap into high-potential tourism and diaspora routes.

Domestic Dominance Grows Further

Back home, IndiGo is adding four new domestic stations, pushing its India network to 95 destinations. This includes flights to:

• Adampur Airport (Jalandhar) starting July 1
• Hindon Airport (Ghaziabad) in due course
• Navi Mumbai and Jewar (Noida) International Airports, where IndiGo will be the launch carrier

Both new metro airports are seen as key to decongesting existing infrastructure and are expected to become major domestic and international hubs.

Premium Moves: IndiGoStretch Goes Regional

After the launch of IndiGoStretch in late 2024—a business class-style product with extra legroom and more comfort—the airline is now expanding it to select international routes.

Starting June 29, 2025, IndiGoStretch-equipped A321s will begin operating on flights between Delhi/Mumbai and Bangkok, Singapore, Phuket, and Dubai. By year-end, IndiGo plans to operate 40–45 aircraft fitted with this product. This was a move we predicted the day we heard about the launch of Stretch.

Also on the menu (literally), complimentary hot meals and beverages by iconic Indian brands will debut on long-haul flights to Manchester and Amsterdam. A first for the otherwise buy-on-board airline.

Maintenance Gets a Boost: New MRO in Bengaluru

To support its rapidly growing fleet—expected to cross 600 aircraft by 2030—IndiGo has signed an MoU with Bangalore International Airport Limited to build a 31-acre MRO facility. The facility will handle both narrow- and wide-body aircraft, significantly improving turnaround times and cost efficiency.

Strengthening Global Ties: Partnerships and Codeshares

IndiGo’s partnership strategy continues to grow. The existing codeshare with Japan Airlines is about to become reciprocal, enabling seamless travel from India through Southeast Asia to Japan.

Expect more codeshare announcements as the airline expands its global reach through alliances as much as aircraft.

CEO Pieter Elbers summed it up:

Today’s set of ambitious announcements for FY26 are yet another important step for IndiGo. Adding 14 new destinations (10 international and 4 domestic), growing partnerships with airlines and airports will not only be greatly beneficial to our customers but also at the very heart of our purpose of giving wings to the nation. 

Bottomline

IndiGo is no longer just India’s low-cost workhorse—it’s transforming into a serious global player. With widebodies entering the fleet, premium offerings taking shape, and a global network expanding fast, this is arguably the airline’s most ambitious year yet. The airline will add many domestic destinations, and after taking the widebodies to Manchester and Amsterdam, will head to London and Copenhagen as well with these. More so, there are going to be developments with IndiGo getting into their own MRO as well, and IndiGoStretch equipped A321neos will head to Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok as well.

For frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts alike, it’s worth watching where IndiGo goes next—both literally and strategically. What do you think of IndiGo’s thinking and implementation?

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