IndiGo to Launch First-Ever Long-Haul Flights to Amsterdam and Manchester
India’s leading airline, IndiGo, is set to enter the long-haul travel market with nonstop flights to Amsterdam and Manchester starting July 2025. This marks a significant step in the airline’s expansion beyond its traditional short- and medium-haul operations.
New Routes Strengthen IndiGo’s Global Presence
With three weekly flights planned for both destinations, IndiGo aims to tap into the growing demand for direct connectivity between India, the UK, and the Netherlands. The airline, which already dominates India’s domestic market and operates on several international regional routes, has been expanding its European footprint through codeshare agreements with major airlines such as Air France, British Airways, and KLM. However, these new services will be IndiGo’s first independently operated long-haul flights.
CEO Pieter Elbers called the move a “major milestone” for IndiGo, highlighting the strong business, tourism, and diaspora links between India, the UK, and the Netherlands. He noted that the flights would provide a convenient travel option for both leisure and business travelers.
To kickstart its long-haul services, IndiGo is leasing Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways through a damp-lease agreement. The first of these aircraft has already entered service on the New Delhi-Bangkok route, with three more set to join later this year.
The initial lease agreement is for six months, with an option to extend up to 18 months, depending on regulatory approvals. IndiGo has also signaled interest in expanding its widebody fleet further through additional leasing deals.
Beyond leasing, the airline has ambitious long-term plans for fleet expansion, including an order for 70 Airbus A321XLRs, expected to arrive from 2025, and 30 Airbus A350-900s, scheduled for delivery from 2027.
IndiGo’s Amsterdam flights will compete with KLM and Air India, both of which currently operate daily flights between India and Schiphol Airport. KLM also plans to launch a Hyderabad route in September 2025.
However, IndiGo will become the only airline offering direct flights between Manchester and India during summer 2025. Currently, TUI Airways operates a seasonal service to Goa, but no year-round options exist. In the past, Jet Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines operated direct flights to Mumbai and Goa from Manchester, but both services ended after the airlines ceased operations.
