IndiGo to Suspend Manchester Flights From August 31 Amid Airspace Restrictions and Rising Costs

IndiGo will temporarily suspend its flights to and from Manchester beginning August 31, 2026, citing extended flight times caused by international airspace restrictions and a challenging operating cost environment.The airline announced on Tuesday that ongoing airspace constraints have significantly increased journey durations on the route, making operations commercially unsustainable under current conditions.As part of the move, IndiGo plans to return one of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft it had acquired on a damp lease arrangement from Norse Atlantic Airways. The carrier said its other long-haul international services will continue to operate as scheduled.The Manchester route was launched in July 2025 as part of IndiGo’s strategy

to expand into the European market ahead of the arrival of its own Airbus A350 fleet. To support that expansion, the airline leased six wide-body Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways earlier that year.According to the airline, a combination of geopolitical developments in the Middle East, rising aviation turbine fuel prices, foreign exchange volatility and severe airspace restrictions has pushed operating costs well beyond initial projections.“Due to continuing international airspace constraints leading to significantly increased flight duration and a challenging cost environment, IndiGo is having to temporarily discontinue its flight operations to and from Manchester with effect from August 31, 2026,” the airline said in a statement.Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Revenue Management, said the airline had seen encouraging passenger demand on the Manchester service since its launch but was forced to reassess the route due to current operating challenges.He described the suspension as temporary and said the airline intends to resume flights when conditions become more favorable. IndiGo is also exploring options to continue its partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways.The carrier currently operates Manchester services from both Delhi and Mumbai. Customers affected by the suspension will be informed in advance and offered alternative travel arrangements or refunds where applicable, the airline said.