IndiGo has announced that it will discontinue its London Heathrow services and end its current widebody operations from October 25, less than a year after launching the route. The Gurugram-based airline said the decision follows a comprehensive review of its international operations in response to a challenging operating environment marked by rising costs and changing market conditions. The airline also confirmed that it will terminate its lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways as part of the strategic shift.
According to IndiGo, the business environment has changed significantly since the Heathrow service was introduced. The airline cited escalating operating costs, continued airspace restrictions, elevated fuel prices and currency fluctuations as key factors affecting the route's viability. These challenges have impacted route efficiency, schedule reliability, passenger connectivity and overall competitiveness, while broader geopolitical uncertainties have contributed to reduced risk appetite across the global aviation industry.
Despite suspending its current widebody operations, IndiGo said it remains committed to expanding its long-haul international network. Senior Vice President of Planning and Revenue Management Abhijit Dasgupta said the airline is adopting a prudent approach to resource deployment in the short term while preserving its long-term growth strategy. He added that IndiGo intends to resume widebody services once it begins taking delivery of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which are expected to play a central role in the airline's future international expansion.
To minimise inconvenience, IndiGo said it will work closely with passengers affected by the Heathrow route closure by offering alternative travel arrangements or refunds, wherever applicable. The airline stated that customer support teams would assist travellers in ensuring a smooth transition following the suspension of services. The move reflects the carrier's effort to balance operational efficiency with customer service during the restructuring of its international network.
As part of the changes, IndiGo will also end its damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for six Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which was signed in early 2025 to support its initial long-haul expansion. In addition, the airline's Mumbai-Amsterdam service, currently operated using a leased Boeing 787-9, will transition to the Airbus A321XLR from October 25. The decision underscores IndiGo's strategy of optimising fleet deployment while preparing for the arrival of its next-generation widebody aircraft.