GURGAON- IndiGo (6E), India’s Largest Airline, is expanding to Europe, seeking a larger share of long-haul traffic. The airline has applied for slots at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS) for daily flights from Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi (DEL) in the summer schedule.
As part of its international strategy, IndiGo is strengthening its management team, bolstering its sales presence, especially in cargo, and planning fleet expansions to support new routes, Hindu BusinessLine reported.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalIndiGo Applies for Amsterdam Slots
IndiGo (6E) is actively working to establish a stronger presence in Europe. The airline has applied for daily flight slots at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) from Mumbai (BOM) and Delhi (DEL), aligning with its long-term strategy to expand internationally.
Additionally, the carrier is reinforcing its leadership team by appointing key executives and hiring new managers for its European operations.
The airline has promoted Mark Sutch, previously the Chief Commercial Officer (Cargo), to oversee international development while retaining his cargo role.
Former Qatar Airways (QR) executive Liesbeth Oudkerk has been appointed as the regional head of Europe.
To further support its European operations, IndiGo is also recruiting managers for London, Paris, and Amsterdam.
IndiGo’s long-haul expansion requires a strategic shift in fleet planning. At present, 28% of its capacity is deployed on international routes, and this is set to increase.
The airline will receive Airbus A321XLR aircraft later this year and Airbus A350s starting in 2027, enabling it to operate longer routes efficiently.
In the short term, IndiGo plans to wet lease six Boeing 787 aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways.
Two of these jets are expected to arrive in March 2025 and may initially serve Bangkok (BKK) or Singapore (SIN) before being deployed on European routes.
Photo: Kaan Can OzdemirIndiGo Strategy for Europe Expansion
IndiGo (6E) faces stiff competition from established carriers like Air India (AI), Emirates (EK), and Etihad Airways (EY), which dominate the India-Europe traffic.
Popular destinations for Indian travelers include London, Paris, Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Amsterdam.
Currently, IndiGo holds around a 6% market share on European routes. The airline already operates flights to Baku (Azerbaijan), Istanbul (Turkey), and Tbilisi (Georgia).
Its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines (TK) allows it to sell tickets to over 30 European destinations, expanding its reach beyond its own direct routes.
Aviation analysts speculate that IndiGo may deepen its ties with Air France-KLM (FR) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) as it expands into Europe.
Such partnerships could help secure airport slots and provide essential passenger and cargo feed.
Prior to its shutdown, Jet Airways had a strong partnership with Air France-KLM, which allowed seamless connectivity for travelers between India and Europe.
Air France-KLM currently has a commercial partnership with IndiGo, offering its customers access to 30 Indian destinations. However, the airline has not commented on the potential expansion of its codeshare agreement.
Photo: EurospotOperational Challenges
IndiGo’s expansion into Europe faces regulatory hurdles. The Dutch government has proposed reducing flight operations at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), making it difficult for new entrants to secure permanent slots. The airline is in discussions with local authorities to find a solution.
Industry insiders believe that IndiGo is exploring alternative European destinations should Amsterdam prove challenging.
Given its growth ambitions, the airline is expected to continue pushing into the European market with strategic partnerships and operational adjustments.
Featured Image by Siddh Dhuri | Instagram
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
IndiGo Plans Amsterdam, London, and Paris Flights
The post IndiGo Airlines Applies for Amsterdam Slots for Summer 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
