IndiGo Launches Historic India-Greece Direct Flights with Airbus A321XLR
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IndiGo became the first Indian carrier to launch direct India-Greece flights using the Airbus A321XLR, connecting Mumbai and New Delhi with Athens.
Indian carrier IndiGo has made a significant move in its international route expansion strategy.
It launched direct flights between India and Greece, establishing the first direct air link by an Indian carrier between the two nations. The inaugural Mumbai to Athens flight departed on Friday, January 23, 2026. The airline followed this with the launch of its Delhi-Athens service on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The A321XLR Debut
IndiGo deployed India’s first Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) aircraft for these new routes. This marks the airline’s formal entry into narrow-body long-haul international operations. The A321XLR is a key tool for airlines to open new, longer routes. It offers widebody-style reach with the lower operating costs of a single-aisle jet.
The aircraft has a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km). This range makes routes like India to Southern Europe commercially viable. IndiGo’s A321XLR configuration includes 12 IndiGoStretch premium seating seats. It also features 183 standard economy seats.
Route Details and Connectivity
Both the Mumbai-Athens and Delhi-Athens legs operate thrice weekly. This schedule provides six weekly flights overall connecting India and Greece. IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, stated that the airline plans to add more destinations in Greece over time.
To enhance connectivity, IndiGo activated a codeshare partnership with Greece-based carrier AEGEAN. This agreement allows IndiGo passengers onward access to over 10 European destinations. These destinations include cities in Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria. Greek passengers gain seamless connections to IndiGo’s domestic and Asian network via Delhi and Mumbai.
Strategic Market Impact
This launch is a strategic move to capture growing demand from Indian travelers. Greece has seen a surge in Indian arrivals, highlighting the market potential. The new India-Greece connections target several key segments:
- Leisure tourism
- Business travel (MICE)
- Destination weddings
The first Indian carrier to offer this direct link gains a significant early-mover advantage. However, competition is expected to increase quickly. Greek flag carrier AEGEAN plans to launch its own direct Athens-Delhi service in March 2026. The introduction of the Airbus A321XLR is central to IndiGo’s long-term strategy. It allows the airline to compete effectively in the international long-haul market. This is done while maintaining its cost-efficient narrow-body model.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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