Latest news with #AirbusA321XLRs
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo charts bold Europe push: Amsterdam key to connect US, EU; CEO says carrier offers 'global twist' on India
IndiGo is stepping up its international game with CEO Pieter Elbers identifying Amsterdam as a critical hub to connect India with Europe and North America, as the airline launches direct flights to the Dutch capital and Manchester. '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. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
IndiGo CEO pitches for India as global hub for connecting flights
With 65% of the world population within 5-6 hours of flying distance from India, the country has the potential to be a global aviation hub as well as expand its outbound travel market, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said on Friday ahead of a major international airlines meet being hosted in the national capital. 'If you realise that 65% of the world population lives within five to six hours of flying time from India, it basically means we have an opportunity to start building India not only as a point- to- point destination, but also as a great place to connect,' Elbers said during a press briefing. IndiGo is the host airline for International Air Transport Association's 3-day summit starting June 1 which will see over 1700 participates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also give an address at the event. 'If there could be great hubs to the west and east of India, why shouldn't we have it here. So, the opportunity really is to build it going forward,' he added. The pitch for building India as a hub (or a central transfer point that connects passengers between multiple international destinations), which is the direction the Indian government has been driving the industry towards for the past few years, comes at a time IndiGo is set to enter the long-haul market with non-stop flights to destinations in Europe such as Manchester and Amsterdam that will be launched in early July, and London and Copenhagen that are expected to take off during the winter season. There will be more destinations such as Athens in Greece that the airline will fly to once it starts adding Airbus A321 XLRs to its fleet by the end of this year. The airline will start adding its own brand new widebodies from 2027 when the Airbus A350s will join its fleet allowing it 'the opportunity to go anywhere in the world.' Investments were needed in infrastructure as well as the aviation industry to execute hub ambitions, he said, as aviation was 'a force for good'. Aviation makes a contribution of $54 billion to India's GDP, or equivalent of 1.5% of the GDP. It creates 8 million jobs where one aircraft results in the creation of over 100 new airline jobs, and one aviation job results in 6.1 jobs economy wide, Mr Elbers said. To bolster the case for India to become an aviation hub, the IndiGo CEO said that while the world was still recovering from the impact of Covid-19, India was expected to record 20% more passengers this year than pre-COVID-19, while IndiGo had clocked 118 million passengers last year as compared to 78 million pre pandemic- almost 50% growth in passengers. 'There is an enormous opportunity as an international outbound tourism market. There is unstoppable growth,' Mr. Elbers said. There is also potential for airlines to expand as there were only 0.13 flight seats per capita in India, which was one-fifth of 0.59 per capita seats in China for domestic travellers. On the international front, the per capita seats in India were half of China, he said. On Friday, the airline also announced an agreement with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) for building a state-of-the art MRO (Maintenance Repair Overhaul) facility on 31 acre of land.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo starts Europe & UK flights from July 1; will finally serve hot meals onboard
NEW DELHI: Using the wet lease route to expand its international network, IndiGo will, from July 1, 2025, launch thrice weekly flights between Mumbai and Manchester. And from the next day, IndiGo will start nonstop flights between Mumbai and Amsterdam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Both these thrice weekly routes will be launched using the wet-leased (hired with operating crew) of Norse Atlantic. With Pakistan airspace closed for overflying by Indian carriers, IndiGo has started its Europe flights from Mumbai. And not the national capital, to avoid the much longer routes they would have had to take. 'Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers' on the two routes, the airline said. Meals sold on board IUndiGo flights — almost all cold except the dip-in-hot-water-for-five-minute versions — have long been the biggest chink in its otherwise formidable armour which has made this LCC biggest Indian airline with over 60% domestic market share. Now, this issue has been resolved with the Europe flights it launches from July. IndiGo says the Amsterdam and Manchester routes are 'the start of an exciting new chapter in IndiGo's growth journey… The introduction of more B787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo's Airbus A321XLRs (extra long range) starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo's unique value proposition,' the airline says. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'I am thrilled to announce IndiGo's long-haul debut... We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo's unparalleled domestic network, showcasing 'India by IndiGo' to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages by iconic home-grown Indian brands will be served to all our customers on this route. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This will be a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India's ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India.'
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo to start Europe & UK flights from July 1; will finally serve hot meals onboard
NEW DELHI: Using the wet lease route to expand its international network, IndiGo will from July 1, 2025, launch thrice weekly flights between Mumbai and Manchester. And from the next day, IndiGo will start nonstops between Mumbai and Amsterdam. Both these thrice weekly routes will be launched using the wet leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (hired with operating crew) of Norse Atlantic. With Pakistan airspace closed for overflying by Indian carriers, IndiGo has started its Europe flights from Mumbai. And not the national capital to avoid the much longer routes they would have had to take. 'Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers' on thee two routes, the airline said. Meals sold on board IndiGo flights — almost all cold except the dip-in-hot-water-for-five-minute versions — have long been the biggest chink in its otherwise formidable armour which has made this LCC biggest Indian airline with over 60% domestic market share. Now, this issue has been resolved with the Europe flights it launches from July. IndiGo says the Amsterdam and Manchester routes are 'the start of an exciting new chapter in IndiGo's growth journey… The introduction of more B787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo's Airbus A321XLRs (extra long range) starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo's unique value proposition,' the airline says. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'I am thrilled to announce IndiGo's long-haul debut... We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo's unparalleled domestic network, showcasing 'India by IndiGo' to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route. This will be a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India's ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub…. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Airlines' new Flagship Suite business class will enter service on these routes
American Airline's latest business class product is about to take flight. The airline announced Friday that its new Flagship Suites will go on sale on select routes starting next week, with service set to begin on some flights as soon as next month. The new suites will begin service on new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and will later be introduced on Airbus A321XLRs and retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs. The seats feature fully lie-flat beds and closing doors. 'Every aspect of our new 787-9 is designed to feel premium in nature,' Heather Garboden, American's Chief Customer Officer said in a statement. 'Whether flying for business or pleasure, having the opportunity to explore other parts of the world should be an exciting and memorable experience that begins the moment you book your flight, long before you reach your final destination.' The 787s will feature new premium economy seats as well. According to American, these are the first round-trip routes the new seats will be available on: Chicago (ORD) to London (LHR) beginning June 5 Philadelphia (PHL) to London (LHR) beginning Aug. 6 Philadelphia (PHL) to Zurich (ZHR) beginning Sept. 3 Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Brisbane (BNE) beginning Oct. 26. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here are the first routes with American Airlines' new business class
