IndiGo kicks off European campaign with Manchester launch

IndiGo’s first Boeing 787-9, operated by damp-lease partner Norse Atlantic Airways, touched down at Manchester Airport on 1 July.

A day later the airline’s second European route will have started, with IndiGo operating from its Mumbai hub to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Both services will initially be flown three times a week with frequencies increased when IndiGo receives its second 787-9 from Norse in September.

“This is a fantastic and momentous occasion for Indigo. The airline was founded 18 years ago, and today we're standing here on the steps of making it into a global airline,” said Pieter Elbers, IndiGo CEO speaking at a welcome reception at Manchester Airport.

“Manchester is our first destination in Europe…this is much more than just a route [launch], it is the start of a new chapter in a new era for IndiGo,” said Elbers.

IndiGo announced its European launch plans in early March and only began taking bookings for the first two services in late May. The first flight into Manchester had a 60% load factor, with the return flight to Mumbai at 80%, said Elbers.

The 787-9s feature a two-class cabin comprising of 56 IndiGoStretch seats, with the seats reclining but not lie-flat, and 282 seats in economy.

IndiGo will take delivery of six 787-9s from Norse Atlantic by the end of the first half of 2026 as it launches its long-haul network with these aircraft in advance of taking new-build Airbus A350-900s from 2027.

Later this year the carrier will begin 787-9 services to London, mostly likely to Heathrow although this has not been officially announced, and Copenhagen.