IndiGo, India’s largest airline, announced a significant expansion of its international operations by signing a damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for three additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This move builds on an earlier deal inked on February 6, bringing the total number of leased 787-9s from the Norwegian carrier to four. The new aircraft, set to arrive in India during the second half of 2025, underscore IndiGo’s aggressive push into the long-haul market, with plans to connect India to key global destinations, particularly in Europe.
The airline, traditionally known for its dominance in India’s domestic short- and medium-haul routes, is diversifying its fleet to meet surging demand for international travel. The first leased Boeing 787-9, already scheduled to begin operations on March 1, 2025, will service the Delhi-Bangkok route, marking IndiGo’s entry into wide-body operations. The addition of three more Dreamliners later this year will enable the carrier to launch direct flights to European hubs such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam by mid-summer, a strategic move to capture a larger share of India’s growing international passenger traffic, currently dominated by Gulf carriers.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, emphasised the broader vision behind the expansion: “This agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways is a critical step in our journey to become a global aviation leader by 2030. These aircraft will allow us to offer more options for international travel while we await the arrival of our Airbus A350s in 2027.” IndiGo’s fleet currently includes two Boeing 777s damp-leased from Turkish Airlines for India-Turkey routes, and the new 787-9s will bring its wide-body count to six, with speculation swirling that two more Dreamliners could join from Norse Atlantic in the future.
The damp lease arrangement, where Norse Atlantic provides the aircraft, pilots, and maintenance while IndiGo supplies cabin crew, offers flexibility, with an initial six-month term extendable to 18 months pending regulatory approval. This strategy allows IndiGo to scale its long-haul network swiftly amid global aircraft shortages, a challenge that has grounded dozens of its Airbus narrow-bodies due to engine issues. The Boeing 787-9, renowned for its fuel efficiency and long-range capabilities, aligns perfectly with IndiGo’s low-cost model, promising competitive fares on extended routes.
As India’s aviation market surges, projected to see domestic carriers claim 50 per cent of international traffic by 2027-28, per CRISIL Ratings, IndiGo’s expansion signals a bold challenge to rivals such as Air India, which is also ramping up its wide-body operations. With a fleet of over 400 aircraft and a domestic market share exceeding 62 per cent, IndiGo is leveraging its extensive connecting network to fill seats on these new routes. The airline’s management has hinted at further collaboration with Norse Atlantic, potentially contracting additional aircraft, as it prepares for the arrival of 30 firm-ordered Airbus A350-900s starting in 2027. For now, IndiGo’s wings are spreading wider, promising Indian travelers a new era of affordable, direct access to the world. (With inputs from PTI)