These additional flights by India’s largest airline respond not only to rising demand for short-haul leisure travel but also to the country’s longstanding cultural and maritime ties with the archipelagic nations of Indonesia and the Maldives.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by fleet size and market share, has announced new international services to Bali in the south and the Maldives in the north-central Indian Ocean, timed for the festive season.
With the launch of daily flights from Mumbai to Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia) and Thiruvananthapuram to Malé (Maldives), IndiGo has reinforced its position as the leading Indian airline by number of international destinations served. These additions not only respond to rising demand for short-haul leisure travel but also echo India’s longstanding cultural and maritime ties with both archipelagic nations.
“With the launch of daily flights to Bali from Mumbai, in addition to Bengaluru, IndiGo now connects two major metros to Bali—an increasingly popular destination for relaxation and exploration,” said Vinay Malhotra, Head of Sales, IndiGo.
The new Mumbai-Denpasar route complements IndiGo’s existing Bengaluru-Denpasar service, offering travellers direct access to Indonesia’s spiritual and wellness hub. With its temples, beaches, and visa-on-arrival convenience, Bali continues to attract Indian tourists seeking immersive experiences. In 2024, over 550,000 Indians visited Bali, making India the second-largest source market after Australia.
The Thiruvananthapuram-Malé connection makes Kerala’s capital the fourth Indian city with direct access to the Maldives, joining Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi. Operated with ATR aircraft, this short-haul route enhances regional mobility and supports growing bilateral trade and tourism.
“We are pleased to announce daily flights between Thiruvananthapuram and Malé, enhancing access to the recently expanded Velana International Airport. With this, IndiGo will operate 28 weekly flights to the Maldives from four Indian cities,” Malhotra added.
Following a brief diplomatic chill in early 2024, Indian tourist arrivals to the Maldives dipped to around 130,000, down 37.5 per cent from 209,000 in 2023. However, relations have since stabilised, and IndiGo’s new services mark a fresh phase in commercial and people-to-people exchanges.
Together, these routes also highlight the role of fast-growing Indian carriers like IndiGo in expanding the country’s international footprint, particularly in the leisure segment. They also reflect a broader trend in the resurgence of regional aviation corridors that interweave tourism, diplomacy, and cultural continuity.