IndiGo to exit leased widebody services, handing Air India a long-haul edge

IndiGo will end damp-leased widebody operations on October 25, 2026, including London Heathrow services, before its A350-900s arrive from 2028. The carrier plans to serve Mumbai-Amsterdam with A321XLR aircraft instead.

— Filed Sat, 1 Aug, 2026, 14:37 IST · Source Business Today · Latest · Updated

IndiGo will end leased wide-body services, including London Heathrow, on October 25, 2026 amid fuel, currency and geopolitical pressures. Air India will regain a domestic long-haul monopoly until IndiGo receives A350s from 2028; Mumbai-Amsterdam shifts to A321XLR service.

Why this matters

The move follows recent signals that IndiGo will end London Heathrow flights less than a year after launch and terminate interim widebody operations and the Norse Atlantic damp lease.

Retail-company signals are accelerating, up 219750% QoQ.