IndiGo amps up its Europe flights, requests slots at Schiphol airport

New Delhi: IndiGo is preparing to grow its presence in Europe, aiming to capture a bigger portion of long-haul traffic. The airline has requested slots at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport for daily flights from Mumbai and Delhi starting in the summer schedule, according to a news report. 

Additionally, IndiGo is upping its management team and focusing on expanding its sales efforts, particularly in the cargo sector, as it gets ready for new routes.

IndiGo has promoted Mark Sutch, its Chief Commercial Officer (Cargo), to the role of Head of International Development, in addition to his current responsibilities. The airline has also hired former Qatar Airways executive Liesbeth Oudkerk as the Regional Head of Europe. Additionally, IndiGo is seeking internal candidates to fill manager positions at its London, Paris, and Amsterdam airport locations.

IndiGo’s long-haul expansion demands a shift in its fleet strategy. Currently, 28% of its capacity is allocated to international routes, and this proportion is expected to grow.

The airline is set to receive Airbus A321XLR aircraft later this year and plans to introduce Airbus A350s starting in 2027, which will enable more efficient operation of longer routes.

In the short term, IndiGo plans to wet lease six Boeing 787s from Norse Atlantic Airways. Two of these aircraft are expected to arrive by March 2025, with initial service likely to be on routes to Bangkok (BKK) or Singapore (SIN), before transitioning to European destinations.

IndiGo’s Strategy for Europe Expansion

IndiGo (6E) is up against strong competition from major carriers like Air India (AI), Emirates (EK), and Etihad Airways (EY), which dominate the India-Europe market. Popular European destinations for Indian travelers include London, Paris, Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Amsterdam.

Currently, IndiGo holds about 6% of the European market share. It already operates flights to Baku (Azerbaijan), Istanbul (Turkey), and Tbilisi (Georgia). Its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines (TK) extends its reach to over 30 European destinations, complementing its direct routes.

Aviation analysts believe IndiGo may strengthen ties with Air France-KLM (FR) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) as part of its European expansion. These partnerships could help IndiGo secure airport slots and enhance passenger and cargo flows.

Before ceasing operations, Jet Airways had a successful partnership with Air France-KLM, facilitating smooth travel between India and Europe. While IndiGo already has a commercial partnership with Air France-KLM, offering access to 30 destinations in India, the airline has not yet commented on expanding its codeshare agreement.

Operational Challenges

IndiGo’s European expansion faces regulatory challenges, particularly at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), where the Dutch government has proposed cuts to flight operations. This could make it harder for new entrants to secure permanent slots, and IndiGo is in talks with local authorities to find a solution.

Industry insiders speculate that IndiGo is exploring alternative European destinations in case Amsterdam proves difficult. With its ambitious growth plans, IndiGo is expected to continue expanding in Europe through strategic partnerships and operational adjustments.