Published on
October 18, 2025
Expanding its long-haul international operations, IndiGo has taken its long-standing commitment to their international operations to an ambitious level by negotiating for 60 Airbus A350-900 aircrafts. This is a growth the ambitious airline has previously shown in their wide-body fleet planning, more than doubling their existing order. Starting direct flights to Greece, IndiGo is also looking to expand its operations to southern Europe, and to do this, they will be getting the A321-XLR which is a next generation, long-range, narrow-body aircraft which will be offering cost efficient long range services. This will show their commitment to the improvement of the services they provide to their international customers.
IndiGo, the largest airline in India, continues to upgrade its global presence, this time taking another important step in fleet expansion. On Friday, the airline announced the agreement to convert purchase rights on 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft into firm orders, thus doubling its original purchase order for wide-body A350 aircraft. With this agreement, IndiGo now has 60 Airbus A350-900 aircraft and has made significant advancements in its long-haul operations.
This expansion of fleet order comes on the back of IndiGo’s first order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. With this expansion, the airline also retained purchase rights for another 70 aircraft in the Airbus A350 family. With this most recent order, the airline has now firm placed orders on 60 A350-900’s and has 40 remaining Airbus A350 aircraft thus firm establishing long-haul operations for the company.
IndiGo’s Long-Haul Expansion Plans
The first batch of 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft will be delivered between 2027 and 2032. These aircraft will play a pivotal role in IndiGo’s strategy to boost its international network and offer passengers more non-stop international travel options. The airline is known for its domestic success, but with the addition of these wide-body aircraft, IndiGo will be able to enhance its global footprint, connect more international destinations, and bring enhanced passenger experiences on long-haul routes.
The A350-900s are particularly suited for long-haul flights due to their unparalleled fuel efficiency, long range, and passenger comfort. These aircraft will be integral to IndiGo’s ambitions to connect India with major international destinations, creating new opportunities for travel between India and various parts of the world. The airline’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, expressed that these aircraft would help expand IndiGo’s reach and support the airline’s vision of becoming a major player in the global aviation market.
Additionally, IndiGo has entered into an agreement with Rolls-Royce to equip these Airbus A350-900 aircraft with the cutting-edge Trent XWB-84 engines. Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB-84 is one of the most efficient and powerful engines for wide-body aircraft, providing enhanced fuel efficiency and reliability, key elements for long-haul operations.
“This milestone reinforces our strong partnership with one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, and we look forward to supporting their expansion into new long-haul markets,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President of Sales at Airbus. He further emphasized that the A350’s design and technology align perfectly with IndiGo’s long-term growth plans, which include tapping into new international markets while maintaining operational efficiency.
IndiGo’s New Narrow-Body Aircraft: The Airbus A321XLR
As part of its expansion, IndiGo also revealed that it will soon debut its first Airbus A321XLR (extra-long range) aircraft, adding another dimension to its growing international operations. The airline has placed an order for 69 A321XLRs, with the first of these aircraft expected to take flight in January 2026.
The inaugural flight of the Airbus A321XLR will depart from Mumbai on January 23, 2026, marking the first-ever operation of this long-range narrow-body aircraft from India. The flight will head to Athens, Greece, which will also become the first destination served by IndiGo using this aircraft type. A day later, IndiGo will operate its first direct flight between Delhi and Athens, becoming the only Indian carrier to offer a direct connection between India and Greece.
The A321XLR is designed for long-range operations, with a reach of up to 8,700 km, allowing IndiGo to offer non-stop flights from India to Southern Europe. This aircraft offers significant operational cost advantages over larger wide-body aircraft, making it a perfect fit for routes between India and destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. The A321XLR’s extended range and fuel efficiency allow IndiGo to maintain cost-effective operations while catering to the growing demand for non-stop international travel.
Strengthening IndiGo’s Global Network
The new Airbus A350-900 aircraft and the A321XLRs are just the beginning of IndiGo’s ambitious plans to strengthen its global network. The airline’s long-haul ambitions have been steadily progressing, and this latest move underscores its commitment to expanding its footprint in the international aviation market.
The A350-900 aircraft will enable IndiGo to operate high-capacity flights to long-haul destinations that require wide-body aircraft. These destinations include major cities across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, providing passengers with convenient and direct connections to some of the world’s most popular travel hubs. The new long-haul routes will further expand IndiGo’s offering, allowing the airline to compete with global carriers on international routes.
In addition to the A350-900s, the A321XLR will bolster IndiGo’s network by enabling the airline to serve long-haul destinations that do not require a wide-body aircraft. The A321XLR’s range makes it ideal for connecting India to smaller markets in Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which may not justify the use of larger, more expensive wide-body aircraft. By operating these more fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft on these routes, IndiGo will be able to offer competitive fares while maintaining profitability.
The Impact of IndiGo’s Expansion on the Aviation Industry
IndiGo’s commitment to expanding its international operations is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in India and beyond. With its new wide-body aircraft and long-range narrow-body fleet, IndiGo is positioning itself as a key player in the global aviation market. As the airline increases its reach to more destinations, passengers will benefit from greater travel options, improved services, and more direct routes between India and key international destinations.
IndiGo’s expansion also signals a shift in the Indian aviation market, which has historically been dominated by regional carriers. By entering the long-haul market, IndiGo is challenging the dominance of international airlines and reshaping the competitive landscape. This will likely prompt other Indian carriers to invest in similar fleet upgrades and expand their own international operations, further driving growth and competition within the industry.
For passengers, IndiGo’s fleet expansion will result in more affordable and convenient travel options to global destinations. The airline’s strong reputation for punctuality, customer service, and affordability will be key factors in its continued success on the international stage.
IndiGo is acquiring 60 Airbus A350-900 aircraft and commencing operations on the A321XLR, thereby facilitating budget-friendly, long-bodied flights to Europe, which is indicative of the rapid pace of its global expansion. Such expansion reinforces its long-haul operations and further expands the India-Southern Europe corridor.
IndiGo’s choice to convert 30 of its Airbus A350-900 purchase rights to firm orders is an important moment in time for the airline as it continues to formulate its growth strategy and demonstrates IndiGo’s intent to be among the top players in the world of aviation. With the addition of the new wide-bodied A350-900 and the A321XLR, IndiGo will be expanding its international operations and offering its customer base new long-haul services to major world destinations. Completing this part of its growth strategy will give IndiGo more operational capabilities as an international airline offering services to/from India and more opportunities to complete its goal of becoming an international aviation leader.
