DELHI- IndiGo Airlines (6E) will lease 2 additional Boeing 787-9s from Norse Atlantic Airways (N0) to expand long-haul routes from Delhi (DEL).
This follows 4 prior leases, with aircraft serving routes like Delhi (DEL) to Bangkok (BKK) and planned European destinations.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalIndiGo to Lease Two More 787s
IndiGo (6E), India’s largest low-cost carrier, signed an agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways (N0) on May 8, 2025, to damp-lease two additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft, including crew, for its base at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
This follows an earlier lease of 4 787-9s, one of which began operating on the Delhi (DEL) to Bangkok (BKK) route in early 2025. The remaining 3 from the initial lease are set to arrive in the second half of 2025, with the fifth and sixth aircraft expected by early 2026.
The six-month lease, extendable to 18 months pending regulatory approval, supports IndiGo’s (6E) goal to become a global airline by 2030.
The 787-9s have a range of 7,565 nautical miles and capacity for 300–350 passengers. It will enable IndiGo (6E) to serve long-haul routes to Europe, such as Amsterdam (AMS) and Manchester (MAN), with bookings opening soon.
The aircraft’s fuel efficiency and modern amenities enhance IndiGo’s (6E) competitiveness in the premium long-haul market.
Photo: AeroConceptsAirspace Challenges
Pakistan’s airspace closure following India’s Operation Sindoor poses challenges for IndiGo’s (6E) European expansion from Delhi (DEL).
The airline plans to bypass the restriction by rerouting flights over the Arabian Sea, adding up to 75 minutes to flight times. Alternatively, IndiGo (6E) may adopt a hub-and-spoke model, similar to its Kolkata (CCU) to Vietnam operations.
The passengers from various Indian cities connect through a hub like Delhi (DEL) or Mumbai (BOM) before continuing to Europe.
This flexibility ensures IndiGo (6E) maintains its expansion timeline. This is with a 3-day schedule to Amsterdam (AMS) and a four-day schedule to Manchester (MAN).
The airline’s proactive approach mitigates the estimated ₹80–100 crore weekly losses faced by Indian carriers due to longer routes and higher fuel costs.
IndiGo Airlines CEO Pieter Elbers | Photo: Aviation A2ZInternational Presence
The addition of two 787-9s brings IndiGo’s (6E) leased wide-body fleet to 6, a significant step toward its global ambitions.
Planned routes to Amsterdam (AMS) and Manchester (MAN) will tap into Europe’s business and leisure travel sectors. The 787-9’s premium economy and enhanced in-flight services will appeal to long-haul passengers.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers emphasised the airline’s “India-first” strategy. The lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways (N0) provides operational flexibility, allowing IndiGo (6E) to scale capacity without immediate capital investment in new aircraft, a prudent move amid global supply chain constraints for wide-body jets.
Photo: Norse Atlantic AirwaysPartnership with Norse Atlantic
The collaboration with Norse Atlantic Airways (N0), a Norwegian carrier specialising in long-haul low-cost operations, leverages the 787-9’s efficiency and Norse’s experienced crew.
This agreement also aligns with IndiGo’s (6E) sustainability goals, as the 787-9 consumes 20% less fuel than older wide-body models, reducing emissions on routes like Delhi (DEL) to Amsterdam (AMS). The extendable lease term offers IndiGo (6E) flexibility to assess long-haul demand before committing to permanent fleet additions.
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IndiGo Airlines Big Planes and Big Plans for Long Haul Market
The post IndiGo Airlines to Lease 2 More Boeing 787s from Norse Atlantic appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
