Delhi, India — At the 2025 IATA Annual General Meeting, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers unveiled an ambitious vision for India’s largest airline, signaling a strategic shift from a domestic low-cost carrier to a global aviation player with widebody ambitions, premium products, and expansive international connectivity.
Addressing a packed hall of aviation executives and global media in New Delhi, Elbers opened by stating, “The story of IndiGo cannot be disconnected from the story of India.” The timing of the AGM, held in India’s capital just days after the country overtook Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, underpinned the significance of the moment.
A Fast-Growing Market at the Heart of a Fast-Growing Airline
India, Elbers noted, is poised to become the third-largest economy by 2027. With a growing and ambitious middle class, a booming aviation sector, and 12 million people added to its population annually, the country has already become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market.
IndiGo plays a central role in that ecosystem. The airline now carries over 118 million passengers annually, operates more than 2,300 daily flights, and connects 130 destinations—91 domestic and 41 international. Notably, Elbers emphasized that 90% of India’s population now lives within 100 kilometers of an IndiGo-served airport.
IndiGo holds the largest aircraft order book globally, with nearly 900 Airbus aircraft pending delivery, including a landmark order for 30 Airbus A350s. Elbers underlined the strategic importance of the airline’s partnership with Airbus, both in Europe and within India.
“For those who believe that 900 aircraft is a large number—just look at global seat capacity per capita. For India, the growth is only beginning,” he said.Beyond Borders: A Shift Toward Global Expansion
IndiGo is no longer content being just a domestic giant. The airline has dramatically expanded its international reach in the past three years, increasing from 20 to 41 global destinations, with 20 Indian cities now connected directly to international points.
By the end of 2025, IndiGo plans to operate to over 50 international destinations, with new services to Amsterdam, Manchester, London, Copenhagen, Athens, Siem Reap, and four cities in Central Asia. Temporary leased Boeing 787s will be used to bridge long-haul gaps until the Airbus A350 deliveries begin in 2027.
In a major strategic development, Elbers announced a new multilateral partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. This agreement aims to integrate IndiGo’s growing international network with transatlantic carriers, providing seamless connectivity between India, Europe, and North America.
Building a New Business Model
Responding to questions about IndiGo’s evolving business identity, Elbers rejected traditional labels:
“Are we an LCC or a full-service carrier? Neither. We are building our own model, uniquely suited to India and its growing global presence.”IndiGo now offers “IndiGo Stretch,” a business product on select domestic routes, soon to expand to Bangkok, Singapore, Phuket, and Dubai. Its loyalty program, “IndiGo Bluechip,” already boasts over 3 million members.
IndiGo also plans to build its own MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facilities in India, with a major expansion at Bengaluru Airport, supporting long-term operations as the airline prepares to double its fleet by 2030.
Sustainability and Social Impact
Elbers stressed IndiGo’s sustainability roadmap, built around one of the world’s youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets. The airline is also engaged in heritage conservation and rural skill-building CSR initiatives across India.
A highlight of the presentation was IndiGo’s inclusion and diversity agenda: 16% of the airline’s pilots are women—the highest share globally—and over 220 persons with disabilities are employed across operational roles.
“Every time I see a team member wearing a button that says ‘I cannot speak, but I’m happy to help you,’ I feel proud. This is what IndiGo stands for,” Elbers said.2030: A Vision of a Truly Global Airline
IndiGo’s roadmap for the rest of the decade is clear: double its passenger base to 200 million annually, add one aircraft every week, and emerge as a full-fledged global airline by 2030.
“India is in a hurry—and so is IndiGo,” Elbers declared, echoing the company’s new slogan: India by IndiGo.With millions of first-time flyers, vast international potential, and a strategic shift toward premium services, IndiGo is aiming to not only lead Indian aviation—but to represent it on the global stage.
“We don’t just move people—we move the ambitions of a nation.”
