Mumbai, April 2 Domestic carrier IndiGo announced on Friday that it will deploy its long-range, narrow-body A321XLR aircraft on the Delhi-Istanbul route, which is currently operated with an Airbus A320neo with a technical stop in Jeddah, starting from April 19.
The strategically important route allows the airline to offer seamless onward connections to over 50 international destinations through its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, it said.
The Airbus A321XLR operating IndiGo's non-stop Delhi-Istanbul route will be the airline's second such aircraft.
Earlier this year, IndiGo became the first Indian carrier to induct the Airbus A321XLR into its fleet and launched operations to Athens.
The new-generation aircraft offers enhanced range, fuel efficiency, and cabin comfort, enabling IndiGo to unlock new long-haul markets, IndiGo said.
IndiGo had initially wet-leased two widebody Boeing 777 from Turkish Airlines in early 2023 to cater to rising demand for international travel from India.
The airline started operating its first wet-leased B777 on the Delhi-Istanbul route from February 1, 2023, and the second such aircraft on the Mumbai-Istanbul route from May 17, 2023.
However, Turkey supported Pakistan but condemned India for its strike into the terrorist camps in Operation Sindoor earlier last year, following the Pahalgam terror attack. IndiGo's wet-lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines came under scrutiny, leading the government to direct the airline not to use these planes beyond February 2026.
A wet lease agreement is a type of leasing arrangement where the lessor provides the aircraft, a complete cabin crew, and full insurance on the aircraft.
For the first time in this sector, IndiGo will offer a dual-class configuration with 183 Economy seats and 12 IndiGoStretch (business class) seats.