India’s largest low-cost airline, IndiGo, is set to expand its international network with direct flights to Amsterdam (AMS) and Manchester (MAN) starting July 2025. This move marks a major shift in the airline’s strategy as it enters the long-haul sector, positioning itself to compete with established international carriers.

Expanding Beyond Asia

IndiGo has steadily grown its international footprint, mainly focusing on short-haul destinations in Asia and the Middle East. With its first direct flights to Western Europe, the airline is now tapping into the high-demand India-Europe market, which has traditionally been dominated by full-service airlines.

Currently operating a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo has over 900 aircraft on order, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines. To support its expansion, IndiGo has secured a wet lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which will be deployed for long-haul operations until its own 30 Airbus A350-900s start arriving in 2027.

Strengthening India-Europe Connectivity

Until now, IndiGo’s European services have been limited to Eastern European destinations such as Baku, Tbilisi, and Istanbul. The addition of Amsterdam and Manchester will significantly enhance connectivity between India and Western Europe.

The airline will operate three weekly flights to both destinations, subject to regulatory approvals.

• Amsterdam Market Outlook: IndiGo will enter a competitive space, as KLM and Air India currently operate multiple daily flights between Amsterdam and Delhi. KLM also runs twice-daily services to Mumbai, alongside operations by China Airlines and Cathay Pacific. However, IndiGo’s codeshare agreement with KLM will allow passengers to seamlessly connect across Europe.
• Manchester – A New Opportunity: IndiGo will become the only airline offering a direct connection between India and northern UK. Manchester has a significant Indian diaspora of nearly 500,000 people within a two-hour travel radius, making it a strong market for both leisure and business travel. This route will revive a connection last seen when Jet Airways briefly operated between India and Manchester in 2018-2019.

India-Europe Aviation Market Growth

The India-Europe air travel market has seen record-breaking growth in recent years. In January 2025, seat capacity surged 10% above pre-pandemic levels, while annual capacity in 2024 increased by 18% year-on-year, reaching 11.5 million seats.

Despite this expansion, India-Europe connectivity still lags behind other major markets. In summer 2025, there will be 229,000 weekly seats on this corridor—just 53% of the India-China capacity, despite both countries having comparable populations of 1.4 billion.

Currently, 16 airlines operate between India and Europe, down from 18 in 2024. Air India leads the market with a 30.2% share, followed by Lufthansa (14.3%) and British Airways (12.4%). IndiGo ranks fourth with an 8.8% share, a sign of its growing international influence.

IndiGo’s Competitive Strategy in Long-Haul Travel

IndiGo has built its success on a low-cost, high-efficiency model, allowing it to remain competitive in India’s price-sensitive aviation market.

Its fleet expansion is a key factor in its long-haul ambitions. The arrival of A321XLRs in 2024 will enable IndiGo to operate longer-range narrow-body flights, while the A350s in 2027 will allow it to compete directly with full-service carriers on high-demand routes.

As India’s only low-cost carrier flying to Western Europe, IndiGo aims to attract price-conscious travelers and stimulate new demand in an underserved market.

A New Era in Indian Aviation

With a strong fleet, expanding global network, and cost-efficient operations, IndiGo is reshaping international travel for Indian passengers. By entering the India-Europe market with direct flights, the airline is positioning itself as a disruptive force in global aviation.

As India’s aviation sector continues to expand, IndiGo’s move into long-haul operations signals a major step toward global leadership, challenging legacy carriers and offering more affordable international travel options.

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