NEW DELHI– IndiGo (6E) will temporarily suspend its long-haul flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) after ending its damp-lease agreement for Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Norse Atlantic Airways (N0).
The decision will bring the airline’s current widebody passenger operations to a halt from October 25 as it prepares for the arrival of its future Airbus A350-900 fleet.
The carrier said it will continue serving Europe by deploying the Airbus A321XLR on its Mumbai (BOM) to Amsterdam (AMS) route.
While the airline’s long-haul ambitions remain unchanged, it will wait for the delivery of its Airbus A350s before resuming widebody international services.
IndiGo Pauses Widebody Operations
IndiGo confirmed that all existing Boeing 787 operations will end once its damp-lease agreement with Norse Atlantic concludes.
The airline had initially leased six Boeing 787-9 aircraft to accelerate its entry into long-haul international markets before the arrival of its own widebody fleet.
As a result, the London Heathrow service will be temporarily discontinued. The airline emphasized that the suspension is not a change in long-term strategy but a short-term adjustment until its Airbus A350-900 aircraft enter service.
IndiGo currently has 60 Airbus A350s on order. At the time the lease agreement was signed, the airline expected to receive its first aircraft in 2027, which will become the backbone of its future long-haul operations.
Fleet Strategy for IndiGo
The airline explained that the Boeing 787 damp-lease program was designed to provide operational experience rather than simply expand its route network.
Through the arrangement, IndiGo gained practical exposure to operating long-haul international flights while strengthening its commercial and operational capabilities.
According to the airline, the project helped develop expertise in long-haul network planning, crew management, aircraft maintenance, and customer service. These capabilities are expected to support the airline’s transition to operating its own Airbus A350 fleet.
However, IndiGo said market conditions have changed significantly since the lease began. Ongoing airspace closures, higher fuel prices, and broader uncertainty across the aviation industry have substantially increased operating costs.
The airline had already returned one of the six leased Boeing 787s before deciding to end the remaining agreement.
Long-Haul Plans of IndiGo
Senior Vice President for Planning Abhijit Dasgupta said the airline’s immediate priority is the prudent deployment of resources while preserving its long-term expansion strategy.
He noted that the Boeing 787 project was intended to build the foundation for IndiGo’s future widebody business rather than permanently operate specific routes. The experience gained during the lease period has prepared the airline for the next stage of its international growth.
Although Heathrow flights will be suspended, IndiGo will maintain its European presence by operating the Mumbai-Amsterdam route with the Airbus A321XLR.
The aircraft offers greater range than previous narrowbody models and enables the airline to continue serving selected long-haul markets more efficiently.
The airline reaffirmed its commitment to expanding across key mid-haul and long-haul international destinations once its Airbus A350 fleet begins arriving, Flight Global flagged.
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