IndiGo charts bold Europe push: Amsterdam key to connect US, EU; CEO says carrier offers 'global twist' on India
'This is more than just adding two destinations. It's a shift in product, partnerships and profile,' Elbers told PTI, calling the expansion into Europe a 'momentous occasion' and signalling a broader transformation for India's largest airline.
IndiGo began flights from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam on July 1 and 2, respectively. Elbers, speaking in Amsterdam a day after the inaugural arrival, said, 'The story now is by touching in Europe… the change is much more profound.'
With a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo already connects 90+ Indian cities and 40 global destinations. The carrier plans to add 10 new overseas points by March 2026, including London, Copenhagen, and Athens, as part of its growing global ambitions.
'Amsterdam is a great airport for connectivity,' Elbers said, adding, 'It will certainly become an important point to connect from here to the rest of Europe and North America.'
IndiGo is currently operating three weekly flights each to Manchester and Amsterdam using a damp-leased Boeing 787-9 from Norway's Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline plans to induct three more of these wide-body jets between October and November, with two additional aircraft expected in early 2026, PTI reported.
IndiGo's international shift also includes the induction of long-range Airbus A321 XLRs, expected by late 2025 or early 2026.
These aircraft will allow it to serve thinner, medium-haul routes directly from Indian cities.
'It (A321 XLR) will allow us to add new destinations such as Athens,' Elbers said. 'It will also allow us to do destinations from different points in India. Today, we fly to Nairobi from Mumbai. Perhaps in the future, given the huge Gujarati community in that part of Africa, we may operate out of Ahmedabad. I'm not saying we do, but we may.'
As IndiGo prepares for long-haul services, Elbers said the airline is evolving internally to offer different cabin experiences tailored to route types, without losing the essence of its efficient, no-frills model.
'We are a fit-for-purpose airline,' he said. 'What we have now done is made groups of products depending on the routes we operate. So the product we have now on Manchester, we can also use the same for London or for Copenhagen.'
The goal, Elbers said, is to deliver a unique blend: 'It should be sort of contemporary Indian or Indian with a global twist type of approach. That is what's the objective.'
Elbers added that while Indian passengers should feel at home, non-Indian travellers should experience a culturally immersive introduction to India — beginning right from their flight.
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