IndiGo confirms ambition to expand widebody operations earlier via wet lease

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has confirmed that it is working to add widebody aircraft earlier than previously announced, as it aims to tap strong travel demand in its home country. IndiGo already has two Boeing 777s on wet lease from Turkish Airlines to serve Istanbul routes and is due to begin receiving its first owned widebody aircraft from its firm commitment for 30 Airbus A350-900s in 2027, but said during an earnings call on 24 January that it wants to take long-range aircraft ahead of those deliveries. That would help it to serve “a vast reservoir of untapped potential” on international routes, according to chief executive Pieter Elbers. “Subject to regulator proposals, we are exploring interim solutions for the earlier introduction of long-range aircraft to our fleet through wet leases,” Elbers states. “Route and network opportunities are being explored at present and we will communicate as and when they are finalised.” Local reports suggest IndiGo has a agreement in place to lease six Boeing 787-9 twinjets from Scandinavian low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic Airways and begin operations to European hubs from India, potentially including Amsterdam, London and Paris.<br/>