This new aviation corridor is poised to boost leisure travel, MICE tourism, and destination weddings, while deepening IndiGo’s strategic presence across Europe.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by fleet size and market share, has announced Athens as the inaugural destination for the country’s first Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The airline will commence six weekly direct flights to the Greek capital by early January 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Once operational, IndiGo will become the only Indian carrier to offer non-stop connectivity between India and Greece.
The new aviation corridor will link Athens to both Delhi and Mumbai, with three weekly frequencies on each route. These flights will also provide seamless access to Greece’s iconic islands—Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete—as well as onward connections to regional European cities. The launch is expected to catalyse leisure travel, MICE tourism, and destination weddings, while strengthening IndiGo’s footprint in Europe.
Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo, described the move as a symbolic milestone in India’s aviation ascent. “Athens as the inaugural destination for IndiGo’s—and India’s—first Airbus A321XLR reflects our commitment to expanding global connectivity. This new corridor links two ancient civilisations with deep historical ties and growing economic engagement. It aligns with India’s rising tourism demand and our ambition to connect more points in Greece,” he said.
The Airbus A321XLR is a next-generation narrow-body aircraft designed for extended range operations. With a reach of up to 8,700 km, it enables non-stop flights from India to Southern Europe while retaining the cost-efficiency of a single-aisle fleet. The aircraft will feature IndiGo’s Economy Class and IndiGoStretch configuration, offering enhanced legroom, in-flight entertainment, and an elevated cabin experience.
Geopolitical Undertones
The launch comes amid rising demand in the India-Europe aviation market, driven by outbound tourism, business travel, and diaspora engagement. Greece, with its strategic location and growing role as a tourism and trade hub, complements India’s expanding international footprint. IndiGo plans to work with partners to position Greece as a top destination for Indian travellers.
The announcement also carries geopolitical undertones. Following Operation Sindoor—a four-day military campaign launched by India in May 2025 to dismantle terror infrastructure in Pakistan—New Delhi has intensified diplomatic outreach with Mediterranean nations, including Greece and Cyprus, to counter Turkiye’s growing influence in the region. Turkiye was among the arms suppliers to Pakistan during the operation, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
For the past several years, Turkiye has remained a popular choice among outbound Indian travellers, both for its cultural appeal and as a key transit hub via Istanbul for connecting flights to Europe. However, with shifting diplomatic dynamics and evolving travel preferences, Greece is now being actively positioned as an alternative holiday destination.
Earlier, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Greece on August 25, 2023, the two nations elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, shipping, agriculture, and mobility. The leaders also committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and enhancing people-to-people exchanges.
IndiGo currently operates long-haul European routes via a damp lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines. The introduction of the A321XLR marks a shift toward fleet self-reliance and long-term international expansion.