On June 1, during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, a significant announcement was made by Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and IndiGo. The four airlines revealed their plan to establish a partnership aimed at enhancing connectivity between India, Europe, and North America. This partnership is still pending regulatory approvals.
The joint statement from the airlines emphasized India's role as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally. The collaboration seeks to link IndiGo's domestic network with Delta's routes in North America and across the Atlantic, Air France-KLM's reach in Europe and North America, and Virgin Atlantic’s transatlantic presence. This will result in broader access for passengers and more seamless travel experiences.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, noted that this marks an important step towards IndiGo becoming a global airline by 2030. He mentioned that the finalized memorandum of understanding (MoU) would expand existing partnerships with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic while introducing a new collaboration with Delta Air Lines.