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IndiGo Airlines, India’s largest low-cost carrier, is set to launch its first European routes in July 2025, with non-stop flights from Delhi to Manchester and Amsterdam using wet-leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline has strategically timed its flights to Manchester to align with Virgin Atlantic’s network, creating seamless connectivity opportunities for passengers.
The flights from Delhi to Manchester will depart at 09:00 AM and return to Delhi at 11:00 AM, coinciding with Virgin Atlantic’s flights to US destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Atlanta, and New York JFK. This scheduling strategy aims to optimize loads and maximize revenue by leveraging strategically timed connections.
IndiGo’s European expansion appears to be part of a broader strategy to strengthen its partnership with Virgin Atlantic, potentially paving the way for expanded codeshare operations and network synergies across Europe and North America.
The airline’s choice of Manchester and Amsterdam as its initial European destinations suggests a focus on hubs operated by its codeshare partners, including Virgin Atlantic and KLM. Future destinations may include Paris, operated by Air France, and Copenhagen, operated by SAS, with whom Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Air France, and SAS are all part of the SkyTeam Alliance.
This pattern of network development indicates a shift in IndiGo’s strategy, with the airline potentially laying the groundwork for eventual SkyTeam Alliance membership. While no official statements have been made, the airline’s partnerships with SkyTeam carriers and its coordination of flight schedules with partners suggest a strategic realignment towards the SkyTeam ecosystem.
In conclusion, IndiGo’s entry into the European market is a significant development that may signal a new era in the airline’s strategy, with potential implications for its membership in the SkyTeam Alliance. The airline’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with global carriers and optimize connections across Europe and North America are likely to shape the future of Indian aviation.