IndiGo will introduce India’s first Airbus A321XLR aircraft on the Athens route, with services beginning in January 2026, the airline announced on Monday. The carrier is scheduled to take delivery of the aircraft by the end of this year, marking a major step in its international expansion.According to news agency PTI, IndiGo plans to operate six weekly non-stop flights to Athens, subject to regulatory clearances. The routes will connect the Greek capital with both Delhi and Mumbai, with three weekly flights from each city. This will make IndiGo the only Indian airline to offer direct services between India and Greece.The next-generation narrow-body aircraft is designed for longer distances, with a range of up to 8,700 km. IndiGo said the XLR’s capability will allow it to push deeper into European markets while retaining the cost benefits of a single-aisle fleet. The aircraft will feature two classes, standard Economy and IndiGoStretch, which offers more legroom.As per ET, the airline highlighted that the new service will support not only leisure travel but also MICE and wedding tourism, while enhancing its footprint across Europe. Passengers flying to Athens will also gain convenient access to popular Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, in addition to other European cities.Speaking on the development, Pieter Elbers, chief executive officer of 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.”He added that with traveller-friendly schedules, the airline is confident of boosting demand from both business and leisure segments. “With this, we also look to connect to more points in Greece, strengthening the connectivity between the two countries,” Elbers said, as quoted by PTI.The launch of Athens as IndiGo’s first A321XLR destination comes amid strong growth in the India–Europe aviation market, driven by both tourism and trade. Greece is emerging as a hub for cultural exchange and business, while India continues to expand as one of Europe’s fastest-growing outbound markets.IndiGo currently operates over 2,200 flights daily, connecting more than 90 domestic and 40 international destinations. As per Planespotter.com data cited by PTI, the airline’s fleet stood at 400 aircraft as of September 14, 2025, with 349 in operation and 51 grounded.
