Interglobe Aviation 's IndiGo made aviation history on January 23 by launching India's first direct flights to Greece, connecting Mumbai with Athens using the country's first Airbus A321XLR aircraft. This milestone marks IndiGo's entry into narrow-body long-haul operations and establishes the airline as the pioneer in India-Greece air connectivity.

Route Operations and Aircraft Deployment

The new service operates with strategic frequency and advanced aircraft technology:

The deployment of India's first Airbus A321XLR aircraft represents a significant technological advancement for IndiGo's fleet, enabling efficient long-haul operations on routes previously requiring wide-body aircraft.

Strategic Codeshare Partnership

IndiGo has activated a bilateral codeshare partnership with Greece-based carrier AEGEAN, expanding connectivity options for passengers from both networks. Under this arrangement, IndiGo places its 6E code on more than 10 European destinations operated by AEGEAN, including cities in Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria.

AEGEAN passengers gain access to over 10 destinations on IndiGo's network via Delhi and Mumbai, including:

• Bengaluru
• Chennai
• Bangkok
• Hong Kong
• Colombo

Market Positioning and Tourism Potential

Athens is expected to attract Indian travelers across multiple segments, including leisure tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), and wedding tourism. The new routes from Mumbai and Delhi are strategically designed to cater to this diverse demand while expanding IndiGo's European network presence.

Customers from Greece will gain direct access to India's two largest metropolitan cities, along with seamless onward connectivity to IndiGo's extensive domestic and Asian network.

Leadership Commentary

IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers highlighted the significance of the Athens route as the airline's first international service operated using the Airbus A321XLR. He emphasized that the flights, supported by the codeshare partnership with AEGEAN, are expected to enhance connectivity between India, Greece, and other European destinations.

Yiannis Paraschis, Managing Director and CEO of Athens International Airport, noted that January 23 marks the first scheduled direct air service between India and Greece. He expressed expectations that the launch of direct flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai with Athens will support tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

InterGlobe Aviation management has communicated to investors that it is not prepared to provide financial guidance for FY2027, citing ongoing planning processes that remain incomplete.

Management Position on FY2027 Projections

During a recent conference call, the airline's management clearly stated their position regarding future guidance. The company emphasized that it would be premature to provide projected growth or impact numbers for the FY2027 period.

Key Planning Areas Under Development

The management highlighted two critical areas where planning remains ongoing:

Strategic Planning Timeline

The airline's cautious approach reflects the complexity involved in long-term aviation planning. Management indicated that both summer schedule planning and the refinement of cost per available seat kilometer (CASK) numbers are essential components that need completion before any meaningful projections can be shared with stakeholders.

This conservative stance suggests that InterGlobe Aviation is prioritizing accuracy and thoroughness in its planning process over providing preliminary estimates that may require significant revisions later.