IndiGo to lease two more Boeing 787-9s for long-haul routes

Airline major IndiGo has entered into a new agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways to boost its wide-body fleet for the future expansion of its international long-distance network.

Under the agreement, IndiGo will damp lease (aircraft with crew) two additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Previously, IndiGo had damp-leased four Boeing 787-9s from Norse Atlantic Airways, of which it has received one.

The first of these leased aircraft has been deployed on the Delhi–Bangkok route, while the remaining three are expected to arrive in the second half of 2025.

The fifth and sixth aircraft under this partnership are expected to begin operations by early 2026, serving long-haul routes out of India, the airline said.

The initial term of the lease is six months, IndiGo said, extendable up to 18 months and subject to regulatory approvals.

“This move reinforces our commitment to international growth and to our customers, promising to introduce more options on long-haul routes,” said IndiGo Chief Executive Pieter Elbers.

“As we accelerate towards our vision of becoming a global airline by 2030, this partnership enables us to bolster our wide-body operations while staying rooted in our India-first approach.”

Meanwhile, undeterred by Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace, IndiGo is set to proceed with its European expansion plan, with ticket bookings for its new flights to Amsterdam and Manchester expected to open soon.

Accordingly, the low-cost carrier plans to initially operate these services from a key Indian city to these prominent European destinations as part of its expanding international network.

Sources had earlier told businessline that the airline would follow a three-day and four-day schedule for its flights to Amsterdam and Manchester.

However, with the recent closure of Pakistan’s airspace, IndiGo is also considering adjustments to its flight operations.

Notwithstanding the current challenges, the airline has several options to bypass Pakistan’s airspace.

“The airline may implement a strategy similar to its operations from Kolkata to Vietnam,” sources had told businessline.

“IndiGo feeds those operations with flights originating from different destinations within India, which converge at Kolkata, and from there, passengers board a flight to Vietnam.”

Alternatively, sources said, the airline could simply reroute its flights over the Arabian Sea.

Published on May 8, 2025