GURUGRAM- IndiGo Airlines (6E), India’s leading low-cost carrier, closely monitors the Saudi Arabia travel market for expansion amid its aggressive push into Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.
The airline eyes opportunities in Saudi’s aviation ambitions while strengthening ties in the UAE.
IndiGo plans to roll out its IndiGoStretch business class on routes to Abu Dhabi (AUH) and remains optimistic about regional demand despite geopolitical tensions, as stated by CEO Pieter Elbers.
The carrier, with a 64% domestic market share, operates from airports serving 90% of India’s population within 100 km.
Photo: Clément AlloingIndiGo Saudi Arabia expansion
IndiGo (6E) assesses Saudi Arabia’s travel landscape, including infrastructure projects and tourism initiatives under Vision 2030.
The kingdom rapidly builds its aviation sector to link more global destinations and draw visitors for trade and leisure.
CEO Pieter Elbers highlights the “chicken and egg” dynamic, where flights and development must align for mutual growth.
According to The National, Elbers notes the airline’s vigilant approach to these shifts.
Saudi Arabia’s market expansion supports IndiGo’s broader strategy in a region vital for Indian expatriate travel and business.
The airline evaluates construction booms and event-driven tourism, positioning itself for timely entry. This focus complements IndiGo’s home base strength, where it handles 2,200 daily flights across 416 aircraft, serving 118 million passengers in 2024.
Photo: Arik De, EtihadStrengthening UAE Connections
IndiGo (6E) deepens its UAE footprint, now linking 16 Indian cities to Abu Dhabi (AUH) with 111 weekly flights, up from 35 in 2023 across 5 cities.
The airline partners with tourism boards to promote Abu Dhabi and offers unique access to 60 nonstop Indian destinations. It extends connectivity to Thai spots like Krabi and Phuket via Abu Dhabi.
Dubai (DXB) matures as a stable hub, with IndiGo adding IndiGoStretch seats on Delhi and Mumbai flights. The carrier serves multiple UAE airports, including Ras Al Khaimah (RKT), Sharjah (SHJ), and Fujairah (FJR).
Gulf-wide, IndiGo flies to Bahrain (BAH), Dammam (DMM), Doha (DOH), Kuwait (KWI), Muscat (MCT), Madinah (MED), Jeddah (JED), and Riyadh (RUH).
Geopolitical events, like recent Israel-Doha tensions, cause short-term disruptions but do not alter long-term plans. Elbers affirms steady India-UAE traffic growth, driven by labor migration and economic ties. IndiGo rejects Middle East hub proposals to prioritize India’s vast potential.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAccelerating Global Routes
IndiGo (6E) ramps up long-haul operations, launching Manchester (MAN) and Amsterdam (AMS) in July 2025, followed by London Heathrow (LHR), Copenhagen (CPH), Athens (ATH), and Siem Reap (REP).
Southeast and Central Asia see gains, with new Mumbai-Almaty (ALA) and Mumbai-Tbilisi (TBS) services. The airline now leads Indian carriers in international destinations.
Fleet upgrades fuel this push: IndiGo doubles A350 orders to 60, starting 2027 deliveries, and secures Boeing 787 leases.
A June 2025 codeshare with Delta (DL), Air France-KLM (AF/KL), and Virgin Atlantic (VS) enhances networks. As Airbus’s top customer, IndiGo (6E) awaits over 900 aircraft, including weekly deliveries.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalUnlocking Markets with A321 XLR
The first Airbus A321XLR arrives by late 2025, enabling deeper Europe and Asia penetration. Athens (ATH) launches with six weekly Delhi and Mumbai flights from January 2026, marking IndiGo (6E) as the sole Indian direct link to Greece. Three frequencies each route use the jet’s extended range.
This aircraft opens Eastern Europe, Italy, and Asian points from farther Indian bases. Elbers praises its role in untapped markets.
For India-China resumption post-COVID, the A321 XLR suits routes like Delhi-Chengdu (CTU) or Mumbai-Guangzhou (CAN), pending government nods. Recent talks signal positive shifts in this 2.9 billion-population corridor.
Photo: By lasta29 – Air India, B787-8 Dreamliner, VT-ANR, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40687689Future Outlook
An Air India (AI) Boeing 787 crash in June 2025 and India-Pakistan border issues trimmed Q1 profits by 20% to 21.8 billion rupees ($249 million), with revenue up 4.7% to 204.96 billion rupees.
Costs rose 10%, but Elbers sees no lasting demand shift. India’s 174 million air passengers in 2024 represent 4.2% globally, per IATA, in the third largest market.
India’s 6-7% annual GDP growth underscores its underserved status. IndiGo (6E), under Elbers since September 2022, builds a global player for sustained success, not quarterly gains. The 19 year old airline, born in India’s fast rising travel scene, eyes enduring expansion.
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IndiGo Airlines Adds New International Flights from Mumbai with 787
The post IndiGo Eyes International Expansion in This Asian Market appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
