IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International) will reportedly wet-lease six B787-9s from Norse Atlantic Airways (N0, Oslo Gardermoen) in 2025, while it is simultaneously in talks with Airbus about accelerating the deliveries of its first firm-ordered A350-900s to hasten its entry into the long-haul market.
The Economic Times reported that the first two B787-9s would begin flying for IndiGo Airlines in February 2025, followed by the other four in September 2025. The aircraft would allow the Indian carrier to launch its first widebody long-haul routes and could be deployed to Europe. London and Paris have been flagged as potential initial destinations.
IndiGo Airlines does not currently operate any in-house widebodies. It wet-leases two B777-300ERs from Turkish Airlines, but the aircraft are deployed exclusively on flights to Istanbul Airport from Mumbai International and Delhi International.
Neither Norse Atlantic Airways nor IndiGo Airlines responded to ch-aviation's request for comment.
The Norwegian airline recently disclosed plans to wet-lease six of its B787-9s to an unnamed "reputable international airline" as it seeks to grow the share of ACMI contracts in its revenues. The carrier's fleet, split between the Norwegian AOC and Norse Atlantic (United Kingdom), comprises twelve B787-9s.
The wet-lease would be facilitated by India's changing regulatory environment. While the country has historically had a restrictive policy towards ACMI contracts, it recently began relaxing it to support the growth of domestic airlines despite the limited supply of new aircraft on the market.
Separately, IndiGo Airlines told the local media that it was in talks with Airbus to accelerate the deliveries of firm-ordered A350-900s. The carrier plans to take 30 units of the type, and the first one was initially scheduled to enter into service in 2027.
