IndiGo eyes deeper airline partnerships for long-haul push

Airline major IndiGo is exploring deeper commercial partnerships with other airlines to support its long-haul expansion and access overseas markets, rather than financial investment, which is expected to drive such arrangements.

Speaking at the Aviation India and South Asia 2026 summit here on Tuesday, IndiGo’s Chief Executive Officer Willie Walsh said partnerships will be an important component of the airline’s planned wide-body operations.

“It’s more about accessing the market. It’s not about financial investment,” he said, responding to a question about whether IndiGo will require an investor or strategic airline partner for its next phase of growth.

According to Walsh, several commercial models could be considered, ranging from codeshare agreements to joint businesses and revenue-sharing arrangements.

Meanwhile, having deeper commercial relationships with partners will be an important feature of the airline’s wide-body expansion, he added. However, he did not announce a new agreement or identify prospective partners.

IndiGo currently has more than 10 codeshare partners, providing a foundation for its plans to deepen commercial cooperation with overseas airlines. Besides, Walsh said IndiGo’s extensive Indian network makes it attractive to overseas airlines, creating opportunities for relationships that benefit both sides.

The airline’s ambition to expand internationally, alongside the domestic connectivity it could offer prospective partners, would support the case for closer cooperation, he added.

IndiGo is preparing to introduce Airbus A350 aircraft in the second quarter of 2028. He said preparations were well advanced, although considerable work remained before the aircraft entered service.

Furthermore, the airline sees opportunities beyond connecting India with overseas destinations, with its longer-term plans encompassing travel between international markets through India.

According to Walsh, India’s international aviation market offered substantial expansion potential, making the combination of IndiGo’s existing network and the country’s growth prospects particularly attractive. Nevertheless, the airline would not compromise the efficiency of its domestic and short-haul operations to support its long-haul business.

Walsh said some airlines had weakened the efficiency of their short-haul networks because of the revenue those services contributed to long-haul operations. IndiGo would need to avoid that approach as it developed its wide-body business. Additionally, the airline expects its Airbus A321XLR aircraft to complement the A350 fleet in international markets.

Moreover, Walsh highlighted the XLR’s combination of wide-body unit costs and narrow-body trip costs, describing it as an important tool for expansion. In addition, cargo would be a significant component of IndiGo’s future long-haul operations, following encouraging experience with its leased Boeing 787 services.

Nonetheless, Walsh maintained that elevated fuel prices and other near-term challenges would not distract the airline from its long-term strategy.