Domestic carrier IndiGo announced on Monday that it will deploy its first Airbus A321 XLR aircraft, due for delivery by the end of this year, on its Athens, Greece route starting in January next year.
The Gurugram-based airline had previously revealed plans to launch flight services to 10 international destinations this financial year.
IndiGo is preparing to bring India’s first A321 XLR to its fleet by the end of 2025 and commence six weekly direct flights to Athens by early January 2026, subject to regulatory approval, the airline stated. This will position IndiGo as the only Indian carrier offering direct flights between India and Greece, it noted, adding that, pending the necessary approvals, the airline plans to connect Athens with both Delhi and Mumbai, operating three weekly non-stop flights on each route.
The next-generation narrow-body A321 XLR is designed for extended ranges, enabling IndiGo to expand further into Europe while maintaining the cost-efficiency of a single-aisle fleet, according to the statement.
The aircraft will feature a two-class configuration—economy and business (IndiGoStretch). With a range of up to 8,700 km, the XLR enables access to destinations previously out of reach for narrow-body operations, allowing non-stop flights from India to Southern Europe with greater efficiency, IndiGo said.
“IndiGo is the only Indian airline, currently, to announce direct flights between India and Greece. This new aviation corridor is a strategic step in IndiGo’s international expansion and aligns perfectly with India’s growing economy and tourism industry,” said Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo.
With flight schedules designed for traveller convenience, the airline is confident that this route will further stimulate demand for both business and leisure travel, he said, noting that IndiGo also aims to connect to additional points in Greece, enhancing connectivity between the two nations.
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These flights to Athens will also provide convenient access to the picturesque Greek islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, as well as other regional European cities, while further strengthening IndiGo’s presence in Europe, the airline added.
The launch of Athens as IndiGo’s first XLR destination comes at a time when the India-Europe aviation market is expanding, driven by both business and leisure demand, it stated. IndiGo operates over 2,200 daily flights, connecting more than 90 domestic and over 40 international destinations.
As of 14 September 2025, the airline had a fleet of 400 aircraft, with 349 in operation and 51 grounded, according to the aircraft fleet tracking website Planespotter.com.
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