MUMBAI- India’s largest LCC, IndiGo Airlines (6E) will launch its first European routes starting July 2025, offering non-stop flights from Delhi (DEL) to Manchester (MAN) and Amsterdam (AMS) using wet-leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways (NO).
The strategic timing of these flights, particularly the Manchester route, reveals a calculated move to strengthen its partnership with Virgin Atlantic.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanesIndiGo European Expansion
According to UK media reports, IndiGo’s Delhi-Manchester service will arrive at Manchester at 09:00 AM and depart back to Delhi at 11:00 AM. These timings align precisely with Virgin Atlantic’s network from Manchester to key U.S. destinations, creating seamless connectivity opportunities for passengers.
The connection windows enable smooth transfers to Virgin Atlantic’s (VS) flights to Las Vegas (10:45), Orlando (11:15), Atlanta (11:55), and New York JFK (14:15). Similarly, passengers arriving from these U.S. destinations on Virgin Atlantic (JFK-MAN: 07:45, ATL-MAN: 08:35, LAS-MAN: 09:40, MCO-MAN: 10:30) would have convenient connections to IndiGo’s Delhi service.
This scheduling strategy suggests IndiGo aims to optimize loads and maximize revenue through strategic connectivity, despite transit traffic possibly not forming the core of its business model.
The airline appears to be positioning itself for a late-night departure window (01:00-03:00) from Delhi for future European expansion, rather than competing directly with Air India’s (AI) afternoon European bank (13:00-15:00), flagged Indian blogger and route analyst, Ravreet Singh.
The flight timings indicate approximately 10 hours 30 minutes block time for Delhi-Manchester and 9 hours 20 minutes for Manchester-Delhi. This would place the Delhi departure around 03:00 AM with a return arrival in Delhi at approximately 00:50 AM the following day.
While the Manchester route provides exclusivity for IndiGo, the strategic schedule alignment with Virgin Atlantic signals a deeper partnership between the two carriers, potentially setting the stage for expanded codeshare operations and network synergies across Europe and North America.
Photo: SAS AirlinesIs IndiGo Joining SkyTeam Alliance?
IndiGo’s European expansion reveals a pattern of launching routes to hubs operated by its codeshare partners. The airline has selected Manchester, home to Virgin Atlantic operations, and Amsterdam, KLM’s (KL) main hub, for its initial European services. Reports suggest Paris (CDG), Air France’s (AF) primary base, may follow as a future destination.
Copenhagen (CPH) has emerged as another potential European destination for IndiGo. While SAS, Copenhagen’s home carrier, isn’t currently an IndiGo codeshare partner, aviation analyst, Ravreet Singh, notes a significant connection: Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Air France, and SAS all belong to the SkyTeam Alliance.
This systematic approach to network development signals potential long-term strategic alignment. Despite IndiGo’s traditional positioning as an independent low-cost carrier, its expanding relationships with global carriers over recent years suggest a shift in strategy.
Mr. Singh speculates IndiGo might be laying groundwork for eventual SkyTeam Alliance membership. The airline’s pattern of partnering with SkyTeam carriers creates natural integration opportunities across multiple European hubs.
The coordination of flight schedules with partner airlines, particularly at Manchester with Virgin Atlantic’s transatlantic services, demonstrates IndiGo’s interest in capturing connecting traffic flows between India, Europe, and North America.
While IndiGo has made no official statements regarding alliance membership, its network decisions and strengthening partnerships with global carriers indicate potential strategic realignment toward the SkyTeam ecosystem.
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IndiGo Route Additions and Cuts Across India’s Busiest Airports for Summer 2025
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