IndiGo is preparing to enter the European market, aiming to challenge the current Air India-KLM duopoly with new flights to Amsterdam this summer. The airline is seeking a partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways to access additional capacity before its Airbus A350s arrive in 2027. This move will allow IndiGo to start long-haul international services as early as 2025, including routes to London and Paris.
The airline has applied for slots at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, intending to operate daily flights from Mumbai and Delhi. Peter Elbers, IndiGo's CEO, confirmed that Amsterdam is being considered due to its significant Indian community and business connections. According to OAG booking data, there is a substantial demand for flights between Amsterdam and Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
IndiGo's expansion poses a threat to existing airlines such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air India, which currently dominate the India-Netherlands market. With Russian airspace restrictions affecting many Western European airlines' routes to Asia, India remains one of the few viable gateways for expansion.