IndiGo Launches New Routes to the United States in Partnership with Turkish Airlines
IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, has unveiled its latest international expansion strategy by launching new connections to the United States via Istanbul in partnership with Turkish Airlines. Starting from June 15, 2023, passengers can enjoy seamless connectivity to cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington through this codeshare agreement.
Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, expressed the airline’s commitment to providing affordable fares and creating more opportunities for Indian travelers to explore these exceptional destinations. He emphasized that these connections would not only support trade and commerce but also cater to students and tourists. The expansion aligns with IndiGo’s vision of strengthening its international reach while delivering punctual and hassle-free service across its extensive network.
In a strategic departure from its usual single-aisle approach, IndiGo deployed its first wide-body aircraft, a Boeing 777, on its Istanbul route earlier this year. The aircraft was sourced from codeshare partner Turkish Airlines, which also supplies the pilots for these flights.
This latest development follows IndiGo’s recent announcement of commencing direct flights to six new destinations in Africa and Central Asia, including Nairobi, Tbilisi, and Tashkent. Once operational, IndiGo will connect a total of 32 international destinations, expanding its current offering of 26 destinations.
IndiGo plans to enhance its international expansion significantly and is set to add an impressive 174 new weekly international flights between June and September 2023, encompassing new destinations, routes, and increased frequencies.
The expansion comes at a time when there is a growing demand for international travel to, from, and via India, alongside the government’s efforts to establish India as an international aviation hub.
IndiGo’s optimistic outlook reflects the strong rebound in travel witnessed in the world’s third-largest aviation market post-COVID, with both domestic and international passenger numbers showing a remarkable surge despite higher fares.
The airline has ambitious goals, aiming to double its capacity by the end of the decade while focusing on expanding its network, particularly in international markets.
IndiGo currently boasts codeshare partnerships with seven carriers, including Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, and KLM. It offers codeshare connections to 33 destinations across Europe, encompassing countries such as the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
In related news, Airbus is in advanced talks to secure a potentially record-breaking deal with IndiGo to supply 500 narrow-body A320-family jets. If finalized, this order would surpass Air India’s historic provisional purchase of 470 jets earlier this year.
IndiGo, holding a dominant domestic market share of over 57 percent, operates a fleet of more than 300 planes and runs over 1,800 daily flights
