IndiGo to Launch Flights to Europe with Wet-Leased Boeing 787s
ECONOMY & POLICY

IndiGo to Launch Flights to Europe with Wet-Leased Boeing 787s

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is preparing to enter the Europe market by opening key positions, including airport managers and chief security officers, at London Heathrow, Paris, and Amsterdam airports. These roles, announced for internal candidates starting this summer season, mark a strategic shift for IndiGo, which has so far focused on short-haul international routes using narrow-body aircraft. 

To fast-track its foray into the long-haul India-Europe market, IndiGo has finalised a deal with Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic to wet lease up to six Boeing 787 aircraft. This interim arrangement allows IndiGo to serve Europe years before its ordered Airbus A350 aircraft—expected in 2027—join the fleet. Last year, IndiGo ordered 30 Airbus A350-900 planes to expand into long-haul international routes, putting it in direct competition with Tata-owned Air India, which has been aggressively growing its presence in the India-Europe sector. 

Under the wet lease agreement, Norse Atlantic will provide pilots and engineering support along with the aircraft. Two of these Boeing 787s are expected to be deployed in February, with the remaining four joining in September. IndiGo already operates two Boeing 777s for flights to Istanbul under a similar arrangement with Turkish Airlines. 

This move follows a recent relaxation of government rules, which now allow airlines to launch new routes using wet-leased aircraft. Previously, such leases were restricted to one year and could not be used for route expansion. The decision comes amid global aircraft shortages that have driven up airfares and constrained growth opportunities for airlines. 

The India-Europe market, particularly the India-London route, is fiercely competitive due to a large Indian diaspora and strong demand for both tourism and business travel. IndiGo’s entry into this lucrative sector signals its ambition to expand its international footprint and cater to the growing demand for long-haul travel. 

(ET) 
        

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is preparing to enter the Europe market by opening key positions, including airport managers and chief security officers, at London Heathrow, Paris, and Amsterdam airports. These roles, announced for internal candidates starting this summer season, mark a strategic shift for IndiGo, which has so far focused on short-haul international routes using narrow-body aircraft. To fast-track its foray into the long-haul India-Europe market, IndiGo has finalised a deal with Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic to wet lease up to six Boeing 787 aircraft. This interim arrangement allows IndiGo to serve Europe years before its ordered Airbus A350 aircraft—expected in 2027—join the fleet. Last year, IndiGo ordered 30 Airbus A350-900 planes to expand into long-haul international routes, putting it in direct competition with Tata-owned Air India, which has been aggressively growing its presence in the India-Europe sector. Under the wet lease agreement, Norse Atlantic will provide pilots and engineering support along with the aircraft. Two of these Boeing 787s are expected to be deployed in February, with the remaining four joining in September. IndiGo already operates two Boeing 777s for flights to Istanbul under a similar arrangement with Turkish Airlines. This move follows a recent relaxation of government rules, which now allow airlines to launch new routes using wet-leased aircraft. Previously, such leases were restricted to one year and could not be used for route expansion. The decision comes amid global aircraft shortages that have driven up airfares and constrained growth opportunities for airlines. The India-Europe market, particularly the India-London route, is fiercely competitive due to a large Indian diaspora and strong demand for both tourism and business travel. IndiGo’s entry into this lucrative sector signals its ambition to expand its international footprint and cater to the growing demand for long-haul travel. (ET)         

Next Story
Technology

We’re building robots that flow, not just move

Founded in 2021, Flo Mobility is reimagining construction automation with vision-AI robots designed for seamless movement through complex sites. In conversation with CW, Manesh Jain, Founder & CEO, discusses the company’s origin, its LiDAR-free tech stack, and expansion plans in the Middle East and US.What inspired the name Flo Mobility? Why ‘Flo’ and not ‘Flow’?When we started the company in 2021, our focus was on building autonomous navigation systems for robots. Since our work centred around robot movement, ‘mobility’ naturally became part of the name. We wanted to co..

Next Story
Real Estate

We’re committed to setting benchmarks in sustainable luxury living

From a landmark land acquisition in Boisar to ambitious launches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, Birla Estates is driving future-ready growth with a strong focus on sustainability, partnerships and premium living, firmly anchored in its LifeDesigned® philosophy. K T Jithendran, Managing Director & CEO, outlines the company’s premium, sustainable growth playbook in conversation with PRATAP PADODE, Editor-in-Chief, CW. Excerpts:Birla Estates recently acquired a 70.92-acre land parcel in Boisar, Maharashtra, for..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mumbai’s land crunch and ageing homes call for structured renewal

Founded in 2022, Etonhurst Capital Partners is a real-estate fund management platform focused on the Indian market. As the firm achieves the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its debut Rs 5 billion fund, Bamasish Paul, Co-founder, Managing Partner & CEO, discusses its sharp focus on redevelopment-driven value creation in Mumbai’s urban core with CW. Excerpts:Etonhurst Capital has achieved a significant milestone with the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its Rs 5 billion fund. What factors contributed to this early success and how do you plan to attract further investments to r..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?