India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has announced a major strategic partnership with global carriers Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic, aiming to boost its long-haul connectivity to North America, Europe, and the UK.
The announcement came during a press conference on Sunday at the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) annual meeting in New Delhi, where key airline executives including Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith and Delta CEO Ed Bastian were present.
As part of the agreement, IndiGo will be able to sell tickets under its own brand on select flights operated by its partners departing from India, with onward connections from Amsterdam and Manchester to destinations in Europe and North America. The Indian carrier is set to launch new routes to both European cities starting in July.
While Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic already have code-sharing arrangements with IndiGo for domestic Indian routes, the agreement with Delta marks a significant expansion. The U.S. airline has not operated flights to India since the COVID-19 pandemic but now plans to return with direct flights between Atlanta and Delhi, pending regulatory approval.
“There’s not a more important market in aviation at the present time than in India,” said Delta’s Ed Bastian during the summit.
The partnership underscores the growing global significance of India’s aviation sector, which is now the world’s third-largest air passenger market. IndiGo, which currently operates over 400 aircraft, aims to expand its fleet to 600 planes by 2030 as it ramps up international operations.
In a separate announcement, IndiGo confirmed it would convert 30 out of 70 options for Airbus A350 aircraft into firm orders. It also revealed plans to lease six Boeing 787 jets from Norse Atlantic Airways by early next year, helping to offset delivery delays and support its long-haul ambitions.
However, IndiGo’s international strategy has not been without controversy. India’s aviation regulator recently announced it will only extend the airline’s existing lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines until the end of August. The partnership has faced public criticism following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during recent regional tensions.
Still, IndiGo’s leadership remains focused on expanding the airline’s global footprint. Hosting this year’s IATA summit in New Delhi marks a symbolic milestone for the carrier as it transitions from a regional powerhouse to a global player.
