Just a day after adding its first wide-body aircraft to its fleet, IndiGo has signed a lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for three Boeing 787-9 jets. According to the airline’s statement, the aircraft will arrive in India in the second half of 2025 and will serve long-haul routes.
Operational Expansion into Europe
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers confirmed that plans to expand operations into Europe are ongoing. The additional three leased aircraft will bring IndiGo’s wide-body fleet to four jets. Elbers stated, “This will help us make strategic progress and establish our brand in the European market. We are steadily moving towards our vision of becoming a global player by 2030.”
The initial lease period is set for six months, with an option to extend up to 18 months, subject to regulatory approvals. IndiGo had previously signed a firm lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for one Boeing 787-9 in February 2024, with operations scheduled to commence on the Delhi-Bangkok route on 1 March 2024.
IndiGo’s Strategic Transformation
Having transitioned from a low-cost carrier to a hybrid model last year, IndiGo introduced premium seating under the IndiGoStretch category. The airline continues to attract attention with its aggressive expansion plans into Europe, all while maintaining its position as India’s largest airline.
Fleet Expansion and New Orders
As of January 2025, IndiGo’s fleet comprises 403 aircraft, primarily Airbus A320, A320neo, A321neo, and ATR 72-600 models. Its wide-body fleet currently includes two wet-leased Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines.
To meet rising demand, IndiGo has leased additional aircraft from Qatar Airways, Corendon Airlines, Smartlynx Airlines, and Freebird Airlines. Furthermore, to accelerate long-haul expansion, the airline has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900s, with options for 70 more. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
Growth Prospects in India’s Travel Market
According to VIDEC Travel Research, India’s travel market remains highly dynamic. Co-founder and CEO Virendra Jain noted, “Air travel accounts for 49% of India’s total travel market, and this figure is expected to rise to 51% by 2027. Over the next decade, more than 1,700 aircraft are projected to be delivered to Indian carriers.”
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