In a significant move to expand its global footprint, IndiGo will start new direct flights from Mumbai to Manchester, UK, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, marking its entry into long-haul international operations.
Starting July 1, 2025, IndiGo will be the only airline operating non-stop services between Mumbai and Manchester. The following day, on July 2, it will commence its first-ever direct flight to Amsterdam, strengthening its connectivity to Europe.
Both routes will operate three times a week and will be served by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. These new long-haul flights will also see a service upgrade, with passengers being offered complimentary hot meals and beverages on board— a first for the low-cost carrier.
Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, described the launch as a pivotal step in the airline’s international growth.
“This significant step underscores our commitment to becoming an airline of truly global scale and stature. We look forward to a strong and synergistic partnership with Manchester Airport and to showcasing our extensive domestic network to international travellers,” he said.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, welcomed the new service, stating, “This makes Manchester the only airport in the North of England with a direct connection to India. It cements our position as one of Europe’s best-connected airports.”
IndiGo’s decision to operate the new European routes out of Mumbai is strategic. With Pakistan’s airspace closure continuing to affect Delhi-bound flights—leading to longer detours and higher fuel costs—Mumbai offers shorter and more cost-efficient flight paths for westbound operations.
The airline emphasised that this is just the beginning of its long-haul plans. “With the addition of more Boeing 787-9s, the introduction of A321XLRs later this year, and the delivery of A350s from 2027, IndiGo is entering a new era,” the airline said in a statement. “These developments will enable us to offer long-haul services with IndiGo’s unique value proposition.”
IndiGo has positioned both Manchester and Amsterdam as key gateways to Europe for Indian travellers, catering to leisure, business, and student segments. The airline also sees these routes as an opportunity to attract inbound travellers to its vast Indian domestic network under the banner of “India by IndiGo.”
