IndiGo, the largest carrier in India, has announced the conclusion of its widebody flight operations effective October 25, 2026. The airline currently utilizes six Boeing 787-9 aircraft through a damp-lease arrangement with Norway’s Norse Atlantic Airways, which has facilitated long-haul travel to Europe since early 2025. According to Aviation Source News, this strategic pivot comes as the airline grapples with external pressures, including airspace restrictions stemming from Middle East geopolitical tensions, increased fuel prices, and challenging currency fluctuations that have impacted the efficiency and viability of these specific international routes.

The suspension of these widebody services marks a pause in the airline’s broader long-haul expansion strategy until the arrival of its dedicated Airbus A350-900 fleet, which is expected to begin delivery in 2027. While routes such as London Heathrow will be temporarily suspended, IndiGo plans to transition its Mumbai to Amsterdam service to the narrower-body Airbus A321XLR aircraft to maintain network continuity. The carrier emphasized that its long-term international growth strategy remains unchanged, and it has committed to supporting passengers impacted by the upcoming flight cancellations through rebooking or refunds.

From the perspective of Norse Atlantic Airways, the termination of the collaboration has been described as a mutual decision. Norse CEO Eivind Roald noted that the difficult operating environment rendered the partnership less commercially attractive. As the leased aircraft are returned, Norse plans to redeploy the fleet to more profitable winter routes, specifically targeting connections from Europe to New York and Orlando. This shift allows both carriers to adjust their capacity to better suit current market realities while awaiting future fleet developments.