Phuket, Bali, And Abu Dhabi From Bengaluru IndiGo Airlines Showcases Unstoppable Growth With Exciting New International Flights

Friday, December 27, 2024

IndiGo Airlines connects Bengaluru to Phuket, Bali, and Abu Dhabi with exciting new international flights, showcasing unstoppable growth in 2024.

In a landmark achievement, IndiGo Airlines, India’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC), marked 2024 as a year of unprecedented growth by adding 24 new or resumed international routes, culminating in 292 weekly flights. The airline’s strategic focus on bridging Indian cities to key global destinations underscores its commitment to enhancing connectivity for both business and leisure travelers.

Bengaluru: The Crown Jewel of IndiGo’s Expansion

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) emerged as the star performer in IndiGo’s expansion strategy, serving as the hub for 92 weekly international flights. Destinations such as Phuket, Denpasar (Bali), Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Mauritius, Langkawi, and Kuala Lumpur now have seamless connectivity with the Silicon Valley of India.

This expansion solidifies Bengaluru’s position as a major international gateway, catering to a mix of tourists, corporate travelers, and expatriates.

Chennai: Strengthening South India’s Gateway

Chennai International Airport (MAA) became the second most significant hub in this expansion, launching 42 weekly international flights. With routes to Bangkok, Jaffna, and Penang, IndiGo has enhanced Chennai’s role as a critical gateway for travel to Southeast Asia and neighboring Sri Lanka.

A Year in Two Phases

IndiGo’s expansion strategy in 2024 unfolded in two distinct phases:

• During the first half of 2024, the airline launched eight new city pair connections.
• Second Half of 2024: IndiGo added 16 more routes, significantly increasing its international footprint.

New and Notable Destinations

The addition of diverse destinations showcases IndiGo’s intent to connect Indian travelers to global hotspots.

• Southeast Asia:
  • Langkawi, Penang, and Denpasar (Bali) were among the notable new routes.
  • Bangkok and Singapore continue to serve as critical hubs, linking passengers to broader regional networks.
• Island Getaways:
  • IndiGo ventured into long-haul routes with the addition of Mauritius, making it the airline’s longest flight.
  • Regional connectivity was bolstered with flights to Jaffna, utilizing ATR72 aircraft, marking IndiGo’s first international turboprop service.
• Middle East:
  • Cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Jeddah saw increased frequencies, catering to the strong demand from expatriates and tourists alike.

Regional Innovations

The introduction of ATR72 aircraft on the Chennai-Jaffna route signifies IndiGo’s focus on connecting smaller regional markets to international destinations. While most routes feature the Airbus A320 family, this turboprop service highlights a tailored approach to specific travel demands.

Future Expansion Plans

IndiGo’s ambitions don’t stop here. The airline has announced plans to begin operations to Bishkek in February 2025, further solidifying its position as a leader in affordable international travel.

Highlights of IndiGo’s 2024 International Operations

1. Middle Eastern Operations
   • Primary hubs include Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Jeddah (JED).
   • Strong network coverage from multiple Indian cities, focusing on the Arabian Gulf region.
2. Southeast Asian Connectivity
   • Major destinations: Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
   • New tourism-focused additions: Langkawi (LGK), Phuket (HKT), Penang (PEN), and Denpasar/Bali (DPS).
3. South Asian Market
   • Expanded connectivity to Sri Lanka with new flights to both Colombo (CMB) and Jaffna (JAF).
   • Expanded coverage to Male (Maldives) and Dhaka (Bangladesh).
4. Key Indian Departure Points
   • The primary centers of operation are Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), Mumbai (BOM), and Kolkata (CCU).
   • Unique highlights: Mauritius from Bengaluru and regional ATR72 operations from Chennai.

Comprehensive Route Table

Origin City	Destination	Weekly Frequency	Aircraft Type	Start Date
Surat	Dubai	3	A320	23-FEB-2024
Hyderabad	Bangkok	7	A320	26-FEB-2024
Bengaluru	Phuket	7	A321neo	28-FEB-2024
Bengaluru	Denpasar	7	A320	29-MAR-2024
Mumbai	Colombo	6	A320	12-APR-2024
Chennai	Bangkok	7	A320	15-MAY-2024
Lucknow	Abu Dhabi	7	A320	15-MAY-2024
Chandigarh	Abu Dhabi	7	A320	15-MAY-2024
Bengaluru	Abu Dhabi	7	A320	1-AUG-2024
Mangalore	Abu Dhabi	7	A320	9-AUG-2024
Coimbatore	Abu Dhabi	3	A320	10-AUG-2024
Chennai	Jaffna	7	ATR72	1-SEP-2024
Bengaluru	Jeddah	7	A321neo	30-SEP-2024
Coimbatore	Singapore	7	A320	27-OCT-2024
Bengaluru	Mauritius	4	A320	19-NOV-2024
Pune	Bangkok	3	A320	22-NOV-2024
Pune	Dubai	7	A320	22-NOV-2024
Hyderabad	Dhaka	2	A320	11-DEC-2024
Bengaluru	Langkawi	7	A320	16-DEC-2024
Hyderabad	Male	7	A320	20-DEC-2024
Kozhikode	Abu Dhabi	7	A320	20-DEC-2024
Chennai	Penang	7	A320	21-DEC-2024
Bengaluru	Kuala Lumpur	7	A320	21-DEC-2024
Kolkata	Phuket	6	A320	27-DEC-2024

IndiGo Airlines’ record-breaking international growth in 2024 reaffirms its position as a leader in affordable global connectivity. With strategic expansions targeting key regions in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond, the airline continues to redefine the landscape of low-cost travel for Indian and international travelers.

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