IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has finally revealed the start dates for its new long-haul non-stop services from Mumbai to Manchester in the UK and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
As previously announced by the airline, IndiGo will be using wet-leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways on both routes. Additionally, and breaking with its traditional low-cost model seen on its short-haul routes within India, the airline will offer an upgraded in-flight dining experience on both new services, featuring complimentary hot meals and beverages being served to all customers.
In terms of the flights to Manchester, IndiGo will become the only airline offering direct non-stop flights between Mumbai and the northern English city when services commence on July 1, 2025. Northbound flights will depart Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) as IndiGo flight 6E0031 at 04:15 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving into Manchester Airport (MAN) at 09:15 the same day. The return flights will depart Manchester as 6E0032 at noon on the same days, arriving back in Mumbai the following day at 01:35.
“IndiGo’s long-haul foray marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion journey,” said Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo. “We are very proud as well as excited to open the sale of our first long-haul service connecting Mumbai with Manchester, a very special route in many ways. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we’re thrilled to announce that specially crafted complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route.”
“The new route will provide seamless connection to a vast majority of over 90 Indian destinations on IndiGo’s domestic network, benefiting customers travelling from Manchester to Mumbai. This service by IndiGo will thereby further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, fostering stronger economic, educational, and cultural ties. Beyond supporting the growing Indian diaspora in the region, these direct flights are expected to boost two-way tourism, ease travel for students, professionals, and leisure travellers, and unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and collaboration between the two countries.”
“We look forward to a strong and synergistic partnership with Manchester Airport, to be able to serve our customers well. This significant step underscores our commitment to becoming an airline of truly global scale and stature and contributing towards transforming India into a global aviation hub.”
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe commented, “Here at Manchester Airport, we are proud to connect the North to the world. That is why we are delighted to be announcing this new direct service to Mumbai, and to welcome IndiGo to the UK. This route makes us the only Northern airport with a direct connection to India and cements our position as one of Europe’s best-connected airports. It will link the region to the world’s fastest-growing economy, opening up even stronger trade and investment opportunities.”
It will connect half a million people with Indian heritage who live in Manchester Airport’s catchment area to family and friends, and it will capitalise on the wide-ranging cultural and economic ties that exist. It also comes at a really exciting time for relations between India and the North of England, with a new consulate having opened in Manchester this year and several key cultural, sporting, social, and economic partnerships being agreed in recent months. It’s great to see tickets for this exciting route going on sale, and I’m looking forward to welcoming the first passengers in the summer.”
Also heading to Amsterdam
With the start of the services to Manchester on July 1, 2025, IndiGo will also start serving the Dutch city of Amsterdam the following day on July 2, 2025. Again, flying three times per week on the leased Boeing 787-9s, Amsterdam will become the second truly long-haul service by IndiGo that will feature an elevated onboard service.
All services to Amsterdam are planned to depart Mumbai as 6E0021 at 05:25 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at 11:00 the same morning. The return service (flight 6E0022) is scheduled to leave Amsterdam at 14:00, arriving back in Mumbai at 01:55 the following day.
Speaking about the launch of Amsterdam flights, Pieter Elbers said, “I am thrilled to announce IndiGo’s long-haul debut to Amsterdam. We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo’s unparalleled domestic network, showcasing ‘India by IndiGo’ to foreign travellers.”
“The Netherlands and India share a strong and thriving bilateral relationship, and this new non-stop, three-time-weekly service between Mumbai and Amsterdam will only deepen the growing ties between the two nations. We are closely working with Schiphol Airport to provide customers with our quintessential seamless and hassle-free travel experience. With this route, we continue to bridge economies, cultures, and communities, while tapping into new, exciting markets rich in history and potential. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India,” he added.
More about the Norse 787s
Recently, IndiGo signed agreements with Norse Atlantic Airways to damp lease six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, one of which is already operating on its Delhi-Bangkok route. The wide-body aircraft being leased from Norse will feature a spacious double-aisle design, featuring 56 IndiGoStretch (premium class) seats in a comfortable seven-abreast configuration, with 43 inches of seat pitch. The economy class cabin will offer 282 seats in a nine-abreast configuration, offering a 31-inch seat pitch for economy passengers.
With the introduction of more 787-9s from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo’s A321XLRs starting later in 2025 and new Airbus A350s from 2027, the new aircraft will “usher in a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo’s unique value proposition,” added the airline.
