Over the past five years, IndiGo has grown from a strong domestic contender in India to the leader in a high-growth market. In 2019, the airline had already captured around 48% of India’s domestic market with some 250 aircraft in service.

After the COVID19 pandemic, IndiGo recovered faster than rivals, expanding its domestic market share to 64% this year. The fleet has grown by more than 150 aircraft since 2019, reaching approximately 411 aircraft by mid-2025. As can be seen below, the airline strongly outpaced Air India and has also kept pace with the flag carrier in the international market.

First Steps in Long-Haul

After gradually building up an international network, the year 2025 marks a turning point for IndiGo, with the launch of long-haul services using leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways. Operations began in March with the Delhi–Bangkok route, followed in July by Mumbai–Manchester and Mumbai–Amsterdam, IndiGo’s first scheduled European services. From October 26, daily flights to London Heathrow will commence.

The leased 787 operations have allowed IndiGo to enter long-haul markets earlier than originally anticipated. In addition to the three mentioned European routes, the airline has announced new services to Copenhagen, Athens, and Siem Reap in Thailand for the winter 2025 season. These destinations fit IndiGo’s model of serving both point-to-point leisure markets and connecting flows through hubs.

Fleet Expansion

IndiGo’s fleet order book is among the largest in the global aviation industry. In April 2024, the airline placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900s, its first owned wide-body aircraft. In June 2025, this was doubled to 60 aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2027. The narrow-body backlog is even larger, including 69 A321XLRs, 237 A320neos, and 579 A321neos.

The A321XLR, with deliveries starting in December 2025, will sustain IndiGo’s long-haul strategy in the short term. The plane’s range of 7,000- 8,000 km allows non-stop flights from India to destinations in Central and Eastern Europe, East Africa, and Southeast Asia.

The XLR’s arrival bridges the gap between today’s leased 787s and the A350 deliveries from 2027, giving IndiGo the flexibility to develop international markets gradually.

Underlying Drivers of Growth

India is undergoing a major economic transition. In GDP terms, the country’s economy has moved from 11th position in 2009 to 4th in 2025. With a population of 1.5 billion people, rising disposable incomes, an expanding urban middle class, and greater access to affordable airfares, the source market is enormous.

Record numbers of Indians are already traveling abroad—both for leisure and to visit friends and relatives (VFR). According to India’s Ministry of Tourism, outbound departures rose over 150% between 2013 and 2023, with Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia as key destinations.

By 2030, India may add 75 million middle-income households and 25 million affluent households, according to Deloitte, together comprising 56% of the population. India’s middle class is projected to reach over 800 million by 2030, further increasing the pool of potential travelers.

GDP growth averaging 6–7% in recent years shows the magnitude of the aviation possibilities. This has come from increased business activity, more middle-class jobs, and subsequently more disposable income, leading to air travel demand. India is also set to remain the world’s fastest-growing economy for the next two years, according to IMF data.

Indigo's Future International Footprint

Hand in hand with rising demand, low-cost carriers, led by IndiGo, have made air travel competitive with other modes of transport for regional trips, encouraging first-time flyers. Disposable incomes and consumption are projected to rise substantially.

With nearly 950 aircraft on order, IndiGo is positioning to remain the domestic market leader and also become a significant international (long-haul) player. The airline’s A321XLRs will likely become a more regular sight in Europe and Asia, supporting an influx of Indian tourists and VFR travel. From 2027, this capacity will be further expanded as a fleet of A350-900s comes into service.