New Delhi: In a landmark development for India's aviation sector, IndiGo, the nation's largest airline, has announced a strategic partnership with global carriers Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta Air Lines. This collaboration aims to significantly enhance IndiGo's long-haul services to North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

The agreement enables IndiGo to market and sell flights under its own brand for routes operated by these partner airlines, facilitating seamless travel experiences for passengers. Travelers can now book tickets through IndiGo for journeys that include onward connections from major European hubs such as Amsterdam and Manchester to various destinations across Europe and North America.

While IndiGo has existing codeshare agreements with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, this marks the initiation of a new partnership with Delta Air Lines. Delta, which had suspended its India operations during the pandemic, plans to resume direct flights between Atlanta and Delhi in the coming years, pending regulatory approvals.

This strategic alliance is part of IndiGo's broader vision to expand its international footprint. The airline is on track to increase its fleet size from over 400 to 600 aircraft by 2030. To support this growth, IndiGo has announced plans to lease six Boeing 787 wide-body jets from Norse Atlantic Airways by early next year.

However, IndiGo's international expansion faces some regulatory challenges. India's aviation regulator recently stated that it would not extend the airline's leasing arrangement with Turkish Airlines beyond August. This decision follows public criticism after Turkey expressed support for Pakistan during recent regional tensions.

The new partnership with Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta is expected to bolster IndiGo's position in the competitive aviation market, offering passengers a wider array of international travel options and enhancing connectivity between India and key global destinations.