IndiGo Inaugurates Direct India-Greece Flights, Targets Greek Islands via Aegean Partnership
Athens, January 24, 2026 – IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has commenced direct flights between India and Greece, with Athens as its initial hub. The airline’s next strategic move involves connecting to the popular Greek islands through a codeshare partnership with Aegean Airlines.
Company executives announced yesterday (January 23, 2026) that destinations such as Heraklion, Thessaloniki, Santorini, and other Greek islands are key targets for IndiGo. The inaugural flight from Mumbai arrived in Athens yesterday, marking a significant milestone. Starting today, IndiGo will also offer three weekly flights from Delhi to Athens, establishing the first direct air link in history between the two nations.
A Landmark Achievement for India and Greece
Yiannis Paraschis, CEO of Athens International Airport, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is a landmark day for us as we celebrate the first direct connection in history between India and Greece, and the arrival and operation of the first Airbus A321XLR. It’s a first for India, a first for Greece, a first for IndiGo, and indeed its first flight. So many new beginnings…”
Paraschis highlighted the robust growth of the Indian market, noting its rapid and dynamic expansion, particularly in the post-pandemic era. He revealed a 37% increase in Indian travelers from 2023 to 2024, with a further 70% surge projected from 2024 to 2025. “We are talking about double-digit increases, and we are absolutely confident that with direct flights, passenger traffic will continue to grow, even double, from 2026 onwards,” he added.
Connecting “Hello” with “Namaste”
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, described the new connection as an opportunity to link “Hello” with “Namaste,” effectively connecting Greece with Bharat. He emphasized that despite differences in size and population, both countries share a profound passion for people, food, and mutual appreciation. “This is a wonderful connection, which is now being realized with direct IndiGo flights,” Elbers stated.
Strategic Partnership with Aegean Airlines
A pivotal aspect of IndiGo’s strategy is its codeshare partnership with Aegean Airlines, which commenced yesterday. This collaboration allows passengers to connect to 11 additional Aegean destinations beyond Athens International Airport. Furthermore, nine more destinations in Spain and other parts of Southern Europe will be added, positioning Athens as a primary gateway.
IndiGo’s management expressed high satisfaction with the partnership, anticipating enhanced connectivity not only between Athens, Mumbai, and Delhi but also across a much broader network within India, Greece, and Southern Europe. Aegean has also announced plans to launch flights to India, which is expected to further strengthen the strategic alliance between the two carriers.
India: A Global Aviation Powerhouse
India has emerged as the fastest-growing aviation market globally, solidifying its position as the world’s third-largest domestic market. Its growth rate is double the global average, underpinned by a strong domestic base.
The collaboration between IndiGo and Airbus, initiated five years ago, has been notably successful. Over the past two years, both parties have worked diligently to develop superior comfort seats for the A321XLR, specifically designed to support long-haul flights.
Fleet Expansion, Occupancy, and Future Prospects
IndiGo continues its rapid expansion. In 2025, the airline served over 24 million passengers. It boasts an order book of 900 aircraft and currently operates 450. Additionally, IndiGo has placed an order for 60 widebody aircraft, slated for delivery in late 2027 or early 2028, with temporary leased widebody aircraft bridging the interim period.
The inaugural flight to Athens achieved an impressive occupancy rate of 75% to 80%, featuring 12 business class seats and 183 economy seats, totaling 195 seats per flight, six times a week.
