IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has decided to temporarily halt its Mumbai-Manchester route starting August 31, 2026. The airline attributes this suspension to ongoing airspace restrictions that have led to prolonged flight durations and increased operating costs. This move comes amid broader challenges facing international aviation, such as geopolitical tensions, surging fuel prices, and disrupted routes that have made long-haul operations more expensive.
In line with this decision, IndiGo will return one of the six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets it previously leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. These aircraft, acquired in early 2025, were key to the airline’s expansion into European markets as it awaited its own Airbus A350 fleet. Despite the suspension, IndiGo assures that its other long-haul international routes will continue to operate as planned.
The airline has highlighted that its foray into Europe has been met with strong customer demand, helping to cement its presence in significant international markets. However, airspace constraints leading to longer flight times, coupled with rising aviation turbine fuel costs and foreign exchange fluctuations, have rendered the Manchester route financially untenable. This has necessitated the current suspension.
Abhijit Dasgupta, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management at IndiGo, described the decision as unfortunate but necessary given the prevailing conditions. He emphasized that the customer response to the Manchester service had been positive and expressed the airline’s intention to resume the route when circumstances improve.
IndiGo is also exploring other collaborative opportunities with Norse Atlantic Airways as part of its broader international growth strategy. Passengers affected by the route suspension will be notified in advance and offered support, which includes alternative travel options or refunds where applicable.