IndiGo to have 6 weekly nonstops to Athens using A321XLR from Jan 2026

NEW DELHI: Come next Jan and Indian carriers will start using narrow body planes to Europe. IndiGo Monday said it will induct its first Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) this Dec and deploy it to Athens six times a week from next Jan. Greece will be the first A321XLR destination for IndiGo, the largest customer of the A320 family of planes globally, and also the first nonstop between the two countries. IndiGo plans to have three weekly nonstops between Delhi and Athens and as many between Mumbai and Athens. Air India also has the option of going for the A321XLRs. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: “Athens as the inaugural destination for IndiGo’s, and India’s, first Airbus A321XLR is a symbolic milestone of India’s aviation ascent. IndiGo is proud to be the only Indian airline, currently, to announce direct flights between India and Greece – two ancient civilisations with a history of long-standing relationship, now deepened by modern-day bilateral and economic ties.”The A321XLR is a next-gen narrow body aircraft designed for longer ranges, allowing IndiGo to expand deeper into Europe while maintaining the cost-efficiency of a single-aisle fleet. With a range of up to 8,700 km, the XLR opens access to destinations previously beyond reach of narrow-body operations, enabling non-stop flights from India to Southern Europe. It will feature economy class and also IndiGoStretch.“This new aviation corridor is a strategic step in IndiGo’s international expansion and aligns perfectly with India’s growing economy and tourism industry. With flight schedules ensuring convenience for travellers, we are confident that this route will further encourage demand for business and leisure travel alike. With this, we also look to connect to more points in Greece, strengthening the connectivity between the two countries,” Elbers added.