IndiGo confirms entry into Europe later this year

Delhi-based low-cost airline IndiGo has finally confirmed that it will enter Europe later this year. “Starting between Delhi and Bangkok, we intend to shift to Europe from mid-Summer,” Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo said in a statement to announce that the airline will use the leased Norse Boeing 787-9 aircraft to start operating on the Delhi Bangkok Delhi route from March 1. The flight will be operated daily. Using the Boeing 787-9 aircraft will increase the seats offered each way to 338 from 222 or 232 in the airline’s two-variant Airbus A321. The airline currently uses an Airbus A321 on the Delhi-Bangkok route. Earlier this year, the airline had entered into a damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, saying it would continue exploring opportunities to contract additional aircraft. It was not immediately clear if the Norse leased capacity had arrived in India or whether the March 1 flight to Thailand’s capital would be in IndiGo or Norse colors. The airline has yet to confirm which European city, from what date the flights will begin, and which Indian city it will connect. The airline is said to be looking at London, Paris, and Amsterdam, with Indian mainstream media reporting that IndiGo is looking for station managers in these cities (IndiGo confirms damp lease of 787-9 – EU eyed |). [caption id="attachment_56679" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Norse 787-9[/caption] Stretch goes international for the first time The Delhi-Bangkok-Delhi flight launch with the Norse aircraft will also see IndiGo Stretch --- or their business class section going international. The stretch product was introduced in November last year and is currently available only on some domestic trunk routes operated by the airline, including Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Bengaluru (IndiGo offers business class on Indian routes mid-November |) India-Thailand crowded skies A variety of full-service and low-cost airlines operate between India and Thailand, including Thai Airways and Air India in the full-service space and IndiGo, AirAsia Thailand, Nok, and SpiceJet in the low-cost space. What has added to the rise in traffic is the decision of the Thailand government to waive visas for Indian arrivals for tourism and short-term business engagements (Visa - ???????????????????? ? ???????????) Besides, in June 2024, the two governments agreed to increase the current seat capacity between the two countries by 7,000 seats per week in a phased manner. (Bangkok Post - Extra 7,000 seats per week agreed for India flights) India is one of the fastest-growing markets for Thailand India has emerged as one of Thailand’s fastest-growing tourism markets, with 2.13 million Indian visitors in 2024, marking a 30.74 percent growth (Thailand enhances tourism connections with India at SATTE 2025 – Business Traveller).

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