- IndiGo will discontinue its wide-body operations from October 25, 2023, and conclude its damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways on October 31, 2023, due to geopolitical tensions.
- From October 25, IndiGo will operate its Mumbai-Amsterdam flights using Airbus A321XLR aircraft, while services to London Heathrow will be temporarily suspended until the delivery of Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
- IndiGo leased six Boeing 787 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic under a damp lease arrangement, which includes the lessor supplying aircraft, pilots, and maintenance.
- Earlier this month, IndiGo reported a second consecutive quarterly loss, primarily due to increased costs related to the conflict in Iran.
- IndiGo's parent company cited airspace constraints, higher fuel costs, and currency pressures as factors affecting route efficiency, schedule integrity, connectivity, and overall competitiveness.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, is set to discontinue its widebody operations effective October 25, with the conclusion of its damp lease with Norse Atlantic Airways on October 31.12345
The decision is attributed to geopolitical tensions affecting operational viability.
Flights from Mumbai to Amsterdam will transition to Airbus A321XLR aircraft, while services to London Heathrow will be temporarily suspended until the delivery of the A350-900 jets.
The damp lease arrangement, which included six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, represented half of Norse's fleet and was crucial for its financial stability amid challenges in the low-cost, long-haul market.
IndiGo's parent company cited airspace constraints, higher fuel costs, and currency pressures as factors impacting route efficiency and overall competitiveness.6
Recently, IndiGo reported a second consecutive quarterly loss, exacerbated by rising costs linked to the conflict in Iran.
The airline is also preparing for leadership changes, with Willie Walsh set to take over as CEO on August 3.
“IndiGo will return six Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Norse Atlantic, a deal that represented half of the Norwegian carrier's fleet and financially supported it amid struggles with low-cost transatlantic routes. The airline also named Willie Walsh CEO starting Aug. 3 after reporting a second consecutive quarterly loss tied to Iran-related costs.”
