Due to continuing international airspace constraints leading to significantly increased flight duration and a challenging cost environment, IndiGo is having to temporarily discontinue its flight operations to and from Manchester Airport with effect from 31 August.
The objective behind this project was to make strategic inroads to establish the IndiGo brand in the European market, ahead of the commencement of services using its own Airbus A350 aircraft. However, the airline has since experienced a significant impact of prevailing industry‑wide challenges including geopolitical developments in the Middle East, rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs, severe airspace constraints, and foreign exchange volatility resulting in operating costs being considerably higher than originally envisaged.
Consequent to this decision, the airline plans to return one of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, taken on damp/wet lease, to Norse Atlantic Airways. IndiGo will continue to operate all its remaining long-haul flights as planned. IndiGo had damp leased six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from Norse Atlantic Airways in early.
Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Network Planning & Revenue Management, IndiGo, said: “We inducted these wide-body aircraft on a short-term basis to fast-track our connectivity to high potential long-haul destinations such as Manchester, and witnessed very encouraging demand response.
“It is, therefore, unfortunate that longer flying times due to airspace constraints coupled with dramatically escalating costs compelled us to take the decision to temporarily discontinue our India – Manchester services. We would like to thank our customers, trade partners in India and in the UK, and Manchester Airport for their amazing support.
“The response and support for these services have reinforced our belief in the opportunity for IndiGo’s long-haul ambitions, and this discontinuation is temporary in nature. We look forward to serving this route again at the earliest viable opportunity and are exploring innovative solutions to continuing our collaboration with Norse Atlantic Airways.”
IndiGo had previously launched flights from Manchester to both Mumbai and Delhi in 2025, bringing a whole load of firsts to Manchester and the North, and connecting Mancs directly to these buzzing Indian destinations.
IndiGo will suspend flights from Manchester Airport starting on August 31, 2026. IndiGo will notify affected customers in advance and assist them with all possible options, including alternate travel arrangements or refunds, where applicable.
