Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo announced on Thursday that it will introduce its first widebody aircraft — a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — via a damp lease agreement with Norwegian low-cost long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic Airways.
Wet leasing is an agreement between air carriers in which the aircraft is operated under the AOC (Air Operator Certificate) of the lessor. A damp lease is a specific type of wet lease where the aircraft is usually provided with a cockpit crew but without cabin attendants.
IndiGo has said the aircraft will arrive in India “in the next few weeks,” and operations are expected to commence as early as next month.
While IndiGo hasn’t mentioned the route it would be flying, according to a Norse Atlantic stock exchange filing: “The aircraft is expected to start operations in March 2025 serving long haul routes out of India.”
The decision to incorporate a widebody aircraft into the fleet comes amid indications that IndiGo is actively exploring its long-haul ambitions, beyond its traditional short- and medium-haul markets.
On a January 24 earnings call, CEO Pieter Elbers mentioned the airline’s interest in leveraging interim solutions through wet leases, pending regulatory approvals. “Subject to regulatory approvals, we are exploring interim solutions for an earlier introduction of long-range aircraft to our fleet through wet leases.”
IndiGo’s Long-Haul Ambition
The partnership with Norse Atlantic is a step in that direction, aimed at capturing high-demand international routes, as IndiGo continues to build its global network.
The initial agreement spans six months — with potential extension to 18 months. IndiGo has also said that it would be exploring opportunities to contract additional aircraft from Norse Atlantic.
IndiGo is evaluating route and network opportunities, with early focus reportedly on key European hubs such as London and Paris, both of which cater to significant Indian diaspora and business traveler markets.
“Indian businesses are expanding internationally, our citizens are exploring more destinations than ever before, and our diaspora continues to grow… However, there are still certain key markets, which are underserved and this represents a fast reservoir of untapped potential,” Elbers said at the call.
The launch of long-haul services comes at a time when the Indian aviation market is undergoing a significant shift.
With Indian carriers holding a 43% share of the country’s international passenger traffic last fiscal year—a figure that has been on the rise—there is an evident appetite for more comprehensive international connectivity. Credit rating agency CRISIL Ratings projects that this market share could edge up to 50% by the 2027-28 fiscal year, underscoring the potential for growth.
Fleet Diversification for IndiGo
Known for its homogeneous Airbus fleet, IndiGo has progressively diversified its aircraft portfolio.
- 777-300ER Induction: In 2023, IndiGo wet-leased Boeing 777-300ERs from Turkish Airlines for its India-Turkey routes.
- 737 MAX-8 Expansion: In 2024, the carrier expanded its Boeing fleet with wet-leased 737 MAX-8s from Qatar Airways exclusively on the India-Doha routes and with Corendon Airlines on the Chennai route.
The soon-to-come 787-9 Dreamliner, operated under a damp lease, would be the first widebody aircraft operated by IndiGo under a more flexible service model rather than on exclusive routes.
This move not only reflects the airline’s strategic ambitions but also highlights its capability to leverage secondary market capacity, developed amid a challenging, supply-constrained environment over the past two years.
Designed with fuel efficiency in mind, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner would be helpful to cover longer distances economically.
The airline also has a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft, with rights for an additional 70 Airbus A350 family aircraft with deliveries slated to begin in 2027.
IndiGo has also introduced a business class on its domestic routes and an eagerly-awaited loyalty program.
[IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers will be live on stage at the Skift India Forum in Delhi-NCR on March 17-18 to discuss IndiGo’s plans for India’s next phase of growth.]
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