Air travellers are set to benefit from enhanced connectivity between India and Europe as two major Indian carriers announce significant route expansions for 2026. Air India has confirmed the resumption of flight services to Rome after a six-year hiatus, while IndiGo moves forward with its Delhi-London Heathrow service launch plans.

Air India Returns to Rome

Air India will resume operations to Italy's capital city beginning March 25, 2026, marking the airline's return to Rome after suspending services in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The service will operate four times weekly between Delhi and Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino).

"Connecting India to more of the world remains one of our top priorities. India and Italy share deep-rooted commonalities in culture, business and trade, which makes Rome a natural addition to Air India's expanding network," said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India.

IndiGo's Delhi-London Service Launch

IndiGo has confirmed its Delhi-London Heathrow service will commence February 2, 2026, operating five times weekly using wet/damp leased Boeing 787 aircraft. The service will feature a dual-class configuration with IndiGoStretch and economy class options.

This addition will bring IndiGo's total London operations to 12 weekly flights, complementing its existing daily Mumbai-London Heathrow service.

Strategic Network Expansion

With Rome's addition, Air India now serves eight points in Europe and three points in the UK. The non-stop service offers travellers from Italy seamless onward connections via Delhi to destinations across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

For IndiGo, the Delhi-London route represents continued international expansion following recent launches to Denpasar (Bali), Krabi, Hanoi, Guangzhou, and Manchester. The airline has also announced direct flights to Athens starting January 2026.

"This new service is expected to support the growing demand for travel between the two cities for commerce, tourism, and visiting family and friends. IndiGo is committed to making international travel seamless and more accessible, while strengthening connectivity between India and key global destinations," said Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo.

Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma, noted that Air India's return "marks a strategically important development that reinforces expectations of continued growth in long-haul markets in 2026."

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three new airlines in 2024 - Al Hind Air, FlyExpress, and Shankh Air - in a strategic move to introduce more competition in India's highly concentrated aviation sector. However, securing an NOC is only the first regulatory step, and the reality on the ground reveals significant challenges that prevent these airlines from actually taking to the skies.

New Airlines Approved But Non-Operational

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the approvals following recent meetings with teams from the aspiring airlines. The three new carriers represent a diversification effort in India's aviation landscape, where InterGlobe Aviation and the Air India Group together control 90.00% of the domestic market.

Despite the government approvals, all three airlines remain non-operational. While these startups initially targeted a launch around mid-2025, none has a confirmed timeline to begin commercial operations due to substantial operational and financial hurdles.

The Aircraft Leasing Roadblock

The primary challenge facing these new airlines is aircraft acquisition, which requires significant upfront capital and regulatory clearances. To actually launch operations, airlines need two critical requirements beyond the NOC: aircraft and an Air Operator Permit (AOP) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

According to a startup airline promoter, aircraft lessors are demanding around ₹100.00 crore as security deposit and proof of nearly ₹500.00 crore in bank guarantees. For startups without an operating history, raising that level of capital upfront is extremely difficult, leading them to seek government backing or support to enhance credibility with global lessors.

Market Concentration Concerns Persist

The push for new airlines addresses growing concerns about market concentration in India's domestic aviation sector. IndiGo alone holds 65.60% market share, carrying over 91.00 lakh passengers, while Air India Group controls 25.70% with 36.00 lakh passengers. SpiceJet, the third major carrier, holds a distant 2.60% market share with only 3.62 lakh passengers.

Lessor Wariness After Go First Bankruptcy

The caution among aircraft lessors stems from recent history, particularly the Go First bankruptcy case. During Go First's bankruptcy proceedings, aircraft lessors were locked in prolonged legal battles with banks and other stakeholders, as planes could not be repossessed due to pending airline dues. This episode has reinforced the perception that leasing aircraft to Indian airlines carries heightened legal and financial risk, especially for startups.

While the government's intent to encourage more airlines is clear through NOC approvals, the challenges facing new entrants remain structural. India does not lack aspiring airlines, but it faces a shortage of aircraft access, capital, and lessor confidence. Until these fundamental issues are addressed, an NOC remains just a document rather than a takeoff clearance, highlighting the gap between regulatory approval and operational reality in India's aviation sector.