Exclusive | IndiGo to introduce business class in November

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, will begin offering business class services in November 2024, a major step towards the company’s ambition to become a global airline by 2030.

Pieter Elbers, the airline’s CEO, raised the issue during an interview with CNBC-TV18, highlighting IndiGo’s efforts to diversify its offering while maintaining its position as a cost leader in the competitive aviation market.

The business class service will debut on the Delhi-Mumbai route, with plans to expand to 12 more routes by the end of 2025.

This launch is aimed at premium customers, particularly those travelling on busy business routes such as Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Hyderabad, and signals a shift for IndiGo. Elbers said: “While we remain a low-cost carrier at our core, the introduction of business class reflects our commitment to meeting the changing demands of customers.”

IndiGo’s decision to introduce business class follows a series of measures to prepare the airline for future growth.

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The CEO of IndiGo, which has dominated the domestic market for 18 years, said the airline would now look to expand its international presence, supported by fleet upgrades and product innovations.

New aircraft to achieve global ambitions

In addition to the introduction of business class, IndiGo is bolstering its global expansion plans by acquiring new aircraft. The airline currently serves 34 international destinations, with plans to increase this to 40 by the end of 2024.

A key part of this expansion is the arrival of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft next year, which will allow the airline to reach new long-haul markets in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Elbers stressed that these moves fit into India’s broader growth story. “India needs an airline like IndiGo to meet global standards,” he noted, pointing to the country’s rapidly expanding infrastructure and rising consumer spending.

While challenges remain, such as state-specific tax policies on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), IndiGo’s robust fleet expansion and introduction of wide-body cargo aircraft are expected to ensure the airline continues its upward trajectory.