IndiGo plans overseas push as it readies to fly new aircraft

New Delhi: IndiGo plans to mount more long-haul flights, adding London, Copenhagen, Athens, and Siem Reap, as India's largest airline by market share continues its overseas expansion plans. The budget airline-with a more than 60% share of the domestic market-will be inducting the long-range narrow-body Airbus A321 XLR aircraft and the A350 widebody aircraft-of the Airbus family in 2026 and 2027, respectively to bolster its overseas flight ambitions.

IndiGo will make its maiden foray into long-haul flying with services to Amsterdam and Manchester starting July-using Boeing 787 aircraft leased from European carrier Norse Atlantic. So far, the carrier's network has been limited to domestic routes, and up to six-hour international flights. In the domestic sector, IndiGo plans to add Hindon, Adampur, Navi Mumbai, and Noida, increasing local destinations to 95 this fiscal year.

The airline-targeting a 600-aircraft fleet by 2030-Friday announced plans to set up a maintenance, overhaul and repair facility in Bengaluru. IndiGo has acquired 31 acres for the facility that will be able to handle both narrow body and wide body aircraft.

"The Indian aviation sector is at an inflection point. We are excited to lead the next phase of growth with a strategy that balances agility, scale, and regulatory compliance," said Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo.