New Delhi: InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, which operates IndiGo, on Tuesday inducted India’s first Airbus A321XLR aircraft into its fleet, marking a key milestone in the airline’s international expansion strategy.
The long-range variant of the A321neo arrived in Delhi and will be deployed on upcoming non-stop services connecting Mumbai to Athens from January 23 and Delhi to Athens from January 24, with thrice-weekly flights on both routes, the airline said in a statement.
With a range of up to 8,700 km and improved fuel efficiency, the A321XLR allows IndiGo to operate longer international routes using a narrow-body aircraft while maintaining cost efficiency. The aircraft features a dual-class configuration with 12 IndiGoStretch seats and 183 economy seats, designed for long-distance travel.
IndiGo has a firm order for 40 A321XLR aircraft, of which nine are expected to be delivered in calendar year 2026. After the Athens deployment, subsequent aircraft will be used on existing international routes such as Istanbul and Denpasar (Bali), with future deliveries enabling expansion into new long-haul markets in Europe and East Asia.
“Welcoming the A321XLR is an important milestone as we prepare to redefine long-haul travel for India,” said Pieter Elbers, chief executive officer of IndiGo, adding that the aircraft would help the airline connect Indian cities to newer global destinations while reinforcing India’s international aviation footprint.
The induction underscores IndiGo’s strategy to deepen its international network beyond short- and medium-haul routes, leveraging next-generation aircraft to tap long-distance markets without shifting immediately to wide-body fleets.