India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has unveiled plans to significantly expand its international flight capacity by fiscal year 2030, aiming for a larger share of the global aviation market, the airline announced on Wednesday.
In a presentation to investors, IndiGo outlined its goal of increasing its international capacity share—the percentage of total available seat kilometers (ASKs) dedicated to overseas routes—from 28% to 40%. This marks a substantial leap from 14% in 2018, a milestone it achieved in just seven years.
Currently operating 40 international destinations, IndiGo holds approximately 19% of India’s international aviation market, according to the country’s aviation regulator. Following the announcement, IndiGo’s stock surged by 4.2%, reflecting investor confidence in the airline’s expansion strategy.
IndiGo’s aggressive global expansion aligns with the broader trend of Indian airlines ramping up both domestic and international operations to meet the surge in air travel demand. Despite aircraft supply constraints, carriers are racing to capture market share, particularly in long-haul and premium segments.
As part of this strategy, IndiGo announced in January that it would expand international operations, which currently contribute around 10% of total revenue, per its December-quarter update.
Last month, the airline secured a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Norse Atlantic Airways to enter the long-haul market, a significant shift from its primarily short-haul, single-aisle fleet. Additionally, IndiGo plans to introduce business class seating on Airbus A321XLR and A350 aircraft, capitalizing on the rising demand for premium travel in India. Business class tickets are typically priced at nearly three times the cost of economy fares, making this move a strategic revenue booster.
IndiGo first tested the business class concept on select domestic routes in late 2023, marking its departure from an all-economy model. Encouraged by the response, the airline is now set to roll out premium seating across its international network.
Beyond seating and route expansion, IndiGo has reaffirmed its ambition to grow its fleet beyond 600 aircraft by 2030, up from its current count of 437 planes.
With these bold initiatives, IndiGo is positioning itself as a dominant player in India's international aviation sector, ready to compete with global carriers and capture the growing demand for international travel.