Speaking to CNBC-TV18, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline is looking to expand its global footprint following the launch of its third long-haul European destination. “We started with Manchester, then Amsterdam, and we were already flying to Istanbul. And today, we have Copenhagen. When you listen to customer stories, you realise it’s really the right moment for IndiGo to start flying to Copenhagen,” he said.
Elbers explained that the move comes as Indian carriers hold a smaller share of the Europe-bound market, with about 75% of flights operated by European airlines and only 25% by Indian operators. “We thought we should go to Europe and start offering that proposition for our customers,” he added.
The airline has more international ambitions lined up. “When we think back to COVID, about three years ago, we had around 20 to 25 international destinations. We've now jumped to 45, and many of them are within the region itself—Krabi in Thailand, Singapore, and others. But now we see the opportunity to do more and more long-haul. We’ll start flights to London Heathrow at the end of this month and to China as well,” Elbers said.
On competition in the long-haul segment, Elbers emphasised that IndiGo’s core principles remain its strongest differentiators. “The foundation for IndiGo lies in our three customer promises—affordable fares, on-time performance, and a courteous, hassle-free service. That foundation remains unchanged. We’ve now added a fourth—an unparalleled network.”
He added that cost leadership and staff efforts are key to the airline’s global strategy. “Maintaining our cost leadership allows us to continue offering affordable service. My colleagues work very hard to ensure that customers have a pleasant experience. Against that backdrop, I believe we are very well positioned to cater not only to Indian customers but increasingly to international travellers as well.”
With Copenhagen, IndiGo now operates 44 international and 138 overall destinations, steadily evolving from a domestic powerhouse into a globally connected airline. The airline’s long-haul push comes as India-bound travel demand rises and more Indian travellers are seeking direct, premium options to Europe and beyond.
