- IndiGo will launch six weekly non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Athens starting January 2026, operated by India’s first Airbus A321XLR.
- Greece’s Aegean Airlines will follow with its own direct India services in March and May 2026, creating head-to-head competition on the corridor.
- The move marks IndiGo’s deeper push into Europe, complementing its upcoming London Heathrow flights and supported by an order book of 69 A321XLRs.
IndiGo has confirmed that Athens will become the inaugural destination for its Airbus A321XLR operations, with six weekly non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai starting in early January 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The airline expects to take delivery of India’s first A321XLR by the end of 2025.
Athens Chosen as First XLR Route
The decision to launch with Athens positions IndiGo as the only Indian carrier offering direct connectivity between India and Greece. Services will operate three times per week from both Delhi and Mumbai, using the long-range, single-aisle aircraft. With 195 seats in a two-class layout—12 in the new “IndiGo Stretch” cabin and 183 in economy—the flights will add around 1,170 seats each way per week between India and Greece.
Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said: “Athens as the inaugural destination for IndiGo’s, and India’s, first Airbus A321XLR is a symbolic milestone of India’s aviation ascent.
IndiGo is proud to be the only Indian airline, currently, to announce direct flights between India and Greece – two ancient civilizations with a history of long-standing relationship, now deepened by modern-day bilateral and economic ties.
This new aviation corridor is a strategic step in IndiGo’s international expansion and aligns perfectly with India’s growing economy and tourism industry. With flight schedules ensuring convenience for travellers, we are confident that this route will further encourage demand for business and leisure travel alike. With this, we also look to connect to more points in Greece, strengthening the connectivity between the two countries.”
Market Demand and Rising Traffic
Travel between India and Greece has grown steadily in recent years, driven by Indian tourists heading to popular islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Reported figures show around 87,000 Indian arrivals into Athens in 2024, up more than 30% year-on-year. Until now, passengers have largely relied on one-stop itineraries via Gulf or European hubs. Non-stop links are expected to capture a sizeable share of this growing market.
Competition from Aegean Airlines
IndiGo will face direct competition within months of its launch. Aegean Airlines, Greece’s flag carrier, has announced its own A321XLR services from Athens to Delhi starting in March 2026, followed by Athens–Mumbai in May. Aegean’s extensive European network may give it an advantage in onward connections, while IndiGo brings the benefit of scale and distribution in the Indian market. Combined, the two airlines could add up to 2,000 weekly seats in each direction on the India–Greece corridor.
Part of Wider International Expansion
Athens is IndiGo’s first A321XLR route but not its first foray into Europe. The airline has already announced direct daily flights to London Heathrow, beginning October 26, 2025, operated with leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft. It has also flagged Copenhagen and other European destinations as part of its expansion pipeline. In total, IndiGo has 69 A321XLRs on order, providing the reach to extend deeper into Europe while keeping the economics of a narrow-body fleet.
Next Steps
The Athens flights are still subject to regulatory approvals in both India and Greece, with final clearances expected closer to launch. If all goes ahead as planned, the India–Greece corridor will become one of the fastest-growing new long-haul markets, reflecting both rising Indian outbound travel and Greece’s growing role as a tourism and trade hub.
