Interglobe Aviation 's IndiGo has announced plans to launch non-stop flights to Athens, Greece, starting January 23, 2026. This strategic route expansion marks a significant milestone for India's largest airline as it ventures into medium-to-long-haul connectivity.

Aircraft and Route Details

The Athens route will feature India's first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, representing a technological advancement for the airline's fleet. The A321XLR is specifically designed for extended-range operations, making it suitable for medium-to-long-haul routes that were previously challenging for narrow-body aircraft.

Strategic Expansion Initiative

This announcement represents IndiGo's continued efforts to expand its international footprint beyond traditional short-haul routes. The introduction of the A321XLR aircraft enables the airline to explore new markets that require extended range capabilities while maintaining operational efficiency.

The Athens route addition demonstrates the airline's commitment to diversifying its route network and exploring European destinations. This expansion aligns with IndiGo's strategy to leverage advanced aircraft technology for accessing previously untapped markets.

Fleet Enhancement

The deployment of India's first Airbus A321XLR marks a significant fleet enhancement for IndiGo. The aircraft's extended range capabilities open new possibilities for the airline to serve destinations that were previously beyond the reach of its existing narrow-body fleet configuration.

This fleet diversification strategy positions IndiGo to compete in the medium-to-long-haul segment while maintaining its focus on operational efficiency and cost-effective service delivery.

InterGlobe Aviation 's IndiGo airline has concluded 2025 as a transformative year, marking significant milestones in its journey toward becoming a global carrier. The airline welcomed over 123 million customers during the calendar year, representing an increase of over 10 million compared to 113 million customers served in 2024, reinforcing its position among the top 10 global airlines.

Long-Haul Operations Launch

IndiGo entered the long-haul aviation segment in 2025, launching non-stop direct flights connecting India with key European destinations. The airline's international expansion included services to Manchester, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and London, substantially enhancing direct connectivity between India and Europe.

The long-haul operations were enabled through the induction of wide-body Boeing 787-9 aircraft in partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways, marking an important milestone in IndiGo's growth strategy. Additional international destinations added during the year included Seychelles, Krabi, Madinah, Fujairah, and Siem Reap. The airline also led the restart of direct flights between India and China, resuming services to Guangzhou from Kolkata and launching flights from Delhi.

Domestic Network Expansion

While pursuing international growth, IndiGo strengthened its domestic presence by commencing operations as the launch carrier at Navi Mumbai International Airport and new airports in Purnea and Rewa. The airline added Hindon, Adampur (Jalandhar), Kishangarh, and Bikaner to its domestic network, bringing its total network to 139 destinations comprising 97 domestic and 42 international destinations.

Fleet and Product Development

IndiGo reinforced its long-term growth strategy by doubling its order for Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft to 60 units, reflecting confidence in international travel growth from India. The airline marked one year of IndiGoStretch, its dual-class cabin product, which operates across 42 aircraft on key domestic and international routes.

Operational Performance and Challenges

IndiGo operated over 2,200 flights per day on average while maintaining industry-leading on-time performance for 10 out of 12 months. The airline transported more than 55,000 tonnes of cargo during 2025. However, the year included operational challenges, notably a major disruption from December 3-5, 2025, which impacted customers and for which the airline apologized. IndiGo rapidly restored normal operations and continues collaborating with the regulator's committee.

Recognition and Future Outlook

The airline received recognition as the Best Airline in India and South Asia at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025. IndiGo continues to rank among the top 20 airlines globally, generating over USD 10 billion in annual revenue. Looking ahead, the airline plans to launch non-stop services to Athens starting January 23, 2026, marking the international debut of India's first Airbus A321XLR.

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, stated that 2025 witnessed IndiGo taking significant strides in executing its strategy "Towards New Heights and Across New Frontiers," progressing across customers, products, domestic and international networks, cargo, and MRO operations with support from 65,000 colleagues.