IndiGo to wet lease an additional 2 787-9 aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways

IndiGo has been a surprise story over the past couple of years as it breaks away from the mould that observers have cast it, investors and everyone else. The airline has a significant focus on international expansion. To this effect, it ordered the Airbus A350 last year, already has the Airbus A321XLR on order (of which they are the largest customer), and is now working on launching operations in Western Europe.

IndiGo will wet lease additional Norse Atlantic Airways’ 787 Aircraft.

During the Christmas—New Year break, it emerged that IndiGo will not wait until 2027 to launch operations in Western Europe but will move in earlier.

The image shows an IndiGo airplane taking off or landing on a runway. The aircraft is predominantly white with blue accents, including the tail and engine. The background features a clear sky and some distant trees and airport structures.

FlyNorse 787-9 aircraft bearing the IndiGo logo (Image Courtesy delhiplanespotting on Instagram)

In November 2024, Norse Atlantic reported to its investors that the airline had tentatively finalised a deal to lease six of its 787-9 jets without naming the customer. Here is the announcement,

On 22 November 2024, the Company entered a detailed letter of intent (the “LOI”) with a reputable international airline for wet lease agreements (“wet lease”) for six aircraft, subject to final agreements, mutual corporate approvals and regulatory approvals. The initial contract term could be further extended, subject to regulatory approval, to cover a longer-term period, with an estimated contract value of USD 462 million over that extended term. Pursuant to the LOI, and provided final agreements are executed based on the terms therein, two aircraft are expected to be deployed in February 2025, with an additional four aircraft expected in September 2025. Norse will be entitled to payment for 350 block hours per aircraft each month, with additional payments possible if utilization exceeds 350 hours per month.

On February 6, 2025, IndiGo and Norse Atlantic announced they are proceeding with the 787-9 damp lease project. To begin with, IndiGo will damp lease a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebody jet from Norse Atlantic Airways, with operations starting in March as part of its efforts to tap into long-haul routes. The initial term of the agreement is six months, extendable to up to 18 months, subject to regulatory approvals. Then, IndiGo announced that this first aircraft would be used on the Delhi-Bangkok and return route. This route is now operational

As a part of the agreement, IndiGo will get an aircraft on lease, along with the cockpit crew and maintenance services, while IndiGo will provide its cabin crew (just like they do with their Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 operations).

IndiGo then announced that it will add three damp leases, making a total of four Norse Atlantic aircraft wet-leased to IndiGo. IndiGo announced that they will head to Manchester and Amsterdam with these aircraft in the second half of 2025, although we don’t have more firm details for now.

Now, IndiGo has announced they will add another two damp leases, in the beginning of 2026.

Two men are standing in a well-lit indoor setting, shaking hands and smiling at the camera. One is wearing a dark suit with a tie, and the other is in a light-colored vest over a white shirt. The background features a patterned floor and some signage, suggesting a formal or professional event.

Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder, Norse Atlantic Airways and Pieter Elbers, CEO IndiGo

Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, says,

We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways by signing our third agreement for addition of two more Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This move reinforces our commitment to international growth and our customers, promising to introduce more options on long-haul routes. As we accelerate towards our vision of becoming a global airline by 2030, this partnership enables us to bolster our wide-body operations while staying rooted in our India-first approach.

IndiGo needs to start working out its widebody network, even with borrowed aircraft right now, given that the airline needs to get in on the bilateral allocation and slots at essential airports such as London, which are already slot-constrained. So, if they have to compete with Air India effectively, they must start working now rather than in 2027. Also, their experience in the India-Europe sectors will help them figure out how to scale up their A350 order book. IndiGo loves to block capacity much in advance, so this tip-toe approach is the beginning of their bigger orders. Think of it as their 100-aircraft order from 2006, except on the widebody aircraft.

IndiGo will also receive its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft in 2025/early 2026, which will help the company expand internationally.

Bottomline

IndiGo has confirmed its plans to lease three more Norse Atlantic Boeing 787-9 aircraft, eventually making it a total of six aircraft on lease to them. The lease of the first aircraft started in March 2025 and last 6-18 months. This is IndiGo’s pivot from starting to fly long-haul in 2027 to flying long-haul in 2025.

What do you think of IndiGo leasing Norse Atlantic Boeing 787-9 aircraft?

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