IndiGo will temporarily discontinue flights between India and Manchester from 31 August 2026, marking a setback in the carrier’s European expansion plans as escalating operating costs and prolonged flight times continue to pressure long-haul operations.
The airline said the decision was driven by ongoing international airspace constraints that have significantly increased flight durations and created a more challenging cost environment than originally anticipated. Despite the suspension, IndiGo said all its other long-haul services will continue to operate as planned.
The move will also see the airline return one of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners it currently operates under a damp lease arrangement with Norse Atlantic Airways.
IndiGo introduced the leased Dreamliners in early 2025 as part of a broader strategy to establish its presence in the European market ahead of the arrival of its own Airbus A350 fleet.
The widebody aircraft enabled the carrier to accelerate long-haul expansion and launch services to destinations beyond its traditional short and medium-haul network.
However, the economics underpinning those operations have shifted considerably over the past year.
According to the airline, several industry-wide developments have increased operating expenses, including:
• Continuing geopolitical developments in the Middle East
• Rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs
• Persistent international airspace restrictions
• Foreign exchange volatility affecting operating expenditure
The combined impact of these factors has pushed costs significantly above initial projections for long-haul operations.
The Manchester route had been positioned as one of IndiGo’s key gateways into the UK market and formed part of the airline’s effort to strengthen its international footprint.
Despite the suspension, the carrier indicated that customer response on the route had been encouraging.
Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President, Network Planning & Revenue Management at IndiGo, said the leased widebody aircraft had enabled the airline to fast-track connectivity to high-potential long-haul markets while testing demand ahead of future fleet expansion.
He said the airline had witnessed strong customer interest on the Manchester route but that longer flight times caused by airspace constraints, combined with sharply higher operating costs, had made the service commercially difficult to sustain for now.
The Manchester suspension will lead to a reduction in IndiGo’s leased widebody fleet.
Key fleet details:
• IndiGo currently operates six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners leased from Norse Atlantic Airways
• One aircraft will be returned following the Manchester route suspension
• The remaining Dreamliners will continue supporting the airline’s long-haul operations
• The leased aircraft programme was introduced as an interim solution ahead of Airbus A350 deliveries
The decision highlights how airlines across the industry are being forced to adjust network strategies as geopolitical developments continue to reshape global flight paths.
Many carriers have experienced longer routing requirements in recent months, increasing fuel burn, crew costs and aircraft utilisation levels.
While the Manchester exit represents a temporary retreat from one of its flagship European routes, IndiGo stressed that its long-haul ambitions remain unchanged.
The airline described the suspension as temporary and indicated that it intends to return to the route when operating conditions become more favourable.
IndiGo also said it is exploring ways to continue collaborating with Norse Atlantic Airways as it develops its long-haul strategy.
The carrier's long-term international growth plans remain centred on expanding connectivity between India and major global markets through a combination of leased aircraft and future Airbus A350 operations.
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