(MUMBAI) IndiGo will sharply step up flights on its new Mumbai–Amsterdam route following what the airline describes as an “outstanding response” since launch, moving to six weekly services from September and a daily schedule by mid-October as more widebody capacity arrives.
The carrier began the route on July 2, 2025, with three flights per week using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on a damp-lease from Norse Atlantic Airways, and says the quick build-up is driven by strong demand for non-stop India–Europe travel. Bookings for the added flights are already open on IndiGo’s website and app, and updated schedules are also reflected by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s official timetable portal.
Schedule build-up and key dates
- From September 20, 2025: IndiGo plans to operate six flights per week between Mumbai and Amsterdam, adding services on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to the existing pattern.
- From October 13, 2025: the airline will increase the schedule again to a daily service (seven flights per week) by adding Sunday operations.
- All flights on the route are set to continue with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners under the damp-lease arrangement.
The phased expansion — three weekly at launch, six weekly from late September, then daily from mid‑October — reflects a fast but measured response to strong bookings.
Fleet and capacity
- Initial operations used Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on a damp-lease from Norse Atlantic Airways to scale up quickly.
- IndiGo plans to add five more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners during the current financial year.
- The first new jet is due to arrive by mid-September 2025, enabling sustained six-times-weekly operations and the later shift to daily service.
Analysts (including VisaVerge.com) view the expansion pace as a signal of confidence in sustained India–Europe demand and say the move positions IndiGo to compete more directly with established long-haul carriers.
Background and strategy
IndiGo’s entry into long-haul flying began with Mumbai–Manchester on July 1, 2025, followed by Mumbai–Amsterdam on July 2. The airline frames Mumbai as a core long-haul hub serving both business and leisure travelers, focusing on reliable, non‑stop links to Europe. Early demand on these routes reportedly surpassed internal expectations, prompting the stepped-up schedule before the route completed its first full quarter.
The use of a damp-lease allows faster ramp-up than waiting for all new deliveries, enabling quick testing of demand and capacity scaling without long lead times. As own Dreamliners arrive, IndiGo can replace or complement leased aircraft while maintaining or increasing frequencies.
Passenger impact and benefits
- More departure day choices and better alignment with meetings, events, and school calendars.
- Reduced gaps between travel days: moving from three to six and then to seven weekly flights eases planning for short business trips and family visits.
- Increased availability across fare types and potential for more competitive price points as carriers respond to added capacity.
Practical traveler takeaways:
1. Note the expansion dates: six weekly from September 20, 2025; daily from October 13, 2025.
2. Confirm specific day-of-week options if travel plans are flexible — the added Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays broaden choices.
3. Book early for popular travel periods; higher frequency helps but demand for non-stop Europe routes remains strong.
4. Review Dutch entry and visa guidance before travel: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/short-stay-visa
Market impact and industry view
- Analysts expect the build-up to heighten competition on India–Europe routes, likely producing a broader range of fares and product choices.
- A daily schedule helps secure corporate contracts that require consistent weekday coverage, making Mumbai–Amsterdam attractive for business travel.
- Tourism and trade could benefit: more direct seats and spread departures through the week can boost arrivals and bilateral activity.
Industry watchers note the timing is deliberate: the late-September move delivers near-daily presence during a shoulder period, with full daily operations by mid‑October — a period when autumn travel and holiday-season forward bookings pick up.
Operational considerations
- The staged approach (three → six → seven weekly) helps manage crew, maintenance, and airport operations while keeping pace with bookings.
- All services will remain on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, maintaining a consistent onboard experience across the schedule.
- Updated flight times and operating days are posted on IndiGo’s booking channels and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s official timetable portal.
Summary checklist for travelers
- Remember the expansion dates: six weekly from September 20, 2025; daily from October 13, 2025.
- Confirm day-of-week options if you can be flexible.
- Book early for high-demand periods; increased frequency improves options but demand remains strong.
- Check visa and entry requirements at https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/visa-the-netherlands/short-stay-visa before travel.
Outlook
IndiGo’s communications emphasize a simple momentum-driven approach: launch, measure response, increase capacity, and prepare the next step as more Dreamliners arrive. The airline sees Mumbai–Amsterdam as a pillar of its Europe plan and a test of how it will compete on intercontinental routes. The months ahead — especially the six-weekly phase from September 20, 2025, and the daily schedule from October 13, 2025 — will show whether demand sustains the expanded timetable and whether further long‑haul growth follows as additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners join the fleet.
This Article in a Nutshell
IndiGo launched Mumbai–Amsterdam on July 2, 2025, with three weekly 787-9 flights and will scale to six weekly from September 20 and daily from October 13, 2025, as new Dreamliners arrive.
