Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK Athens-Mumbai Route Announcement: Airlines that have acquired the Airbus A321XLR, a futuristic long-range narrow-body aircraft, continue to announce the first destinations where they will operate it. Following Iberia's announcement of operating the aircraft between Spain and Brazil, now the Indian airline Indigo announces the first route they will operate with this aircraft.
The first route of Indigo to be operated with the XLR aircraft will be between Delhi and Mumbai to Athens, the capital of Greece, and it will be the only active route currently between Greece and India. It should be noted that with Air India's delay in returning to Israel, no routes currently operate between Israel and India.
The new Indigo route is expected to launch in January 2026, following the receipt of the aircraft and various adaptations to be made by the end of 2025, with a frequency of 6 flights per week (3 to Delhi and 3 to Mumbai) subject to regulatory approvals. The flight duration on the narrow-body aircraft will range between 8 and 9 hours.
A joint statement from the airline and Athens Airport excitedly notes that from Athens, onward flights will be available to the exotic Greek islands, "including Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete," in addition to other European cities.
Photo: ShutterstockPeter Elbers, CEO of Indigo: "Athens as the first destination of our and India’s first A321XLR marks a milestone in Indian aviation. Indigo is proud to be the only Indian airline, as of now, announcing direct flights between India and Greece... This new aviation corridor is a strategic step in our international expansion and perfectly aligns with India’s."