IndiGo launches direct Mumbai to Copenhagen service, expanding Europe

(COPENHAGEN) IndiGo will launch direct flights between Mumbai and Copenhagen on October 8, 2025, opening its first route into Scandinavia and extending its fast European push with widebody aircraft wet-leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. The service will run three times per week and use the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking IndiGo’s 44th international and 138th overall destination.

For Indian travelers bound for Denmark and the wider Nordic region — and for Danish passengers heading to India’s commercial capital — the route offers the only nonstop option until mid-2026.

Booking, equipment and positioning

IndiGo confirmed the details after adding the Mumbai–Copenhagen pairing to its reservation system, with schedules published and bookings available through IndiGo’s official website and major travel agencies.

• The carrier will operate the flights with Norse Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner under a damp lease, seating 338 passengers — 56 in Premium and 282 in Economy — while the aircraft carries IndiGo branding.
• The move responds to growing demand for point-to-point travel between India and Northern Europe and builds on new long-haul routes that IndiGo began adding across Europe in 2025.

“With growing demand for travel between India and Northern Europe, we will be connecting Mumbai to Copenhagen, marking IndiGo’s entry into the Scandinavian region. This expansion strengthens our presence in Europe, offering Copenhagen as a gateway to the Nordic region for Indian travellers,” said IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers.

The route will launch ahead of the winter travel season, when student and family travel often spikes alongside business traffic tied to year-end meetings and trade planning.

Route launch and market context

The Denmark–India market carried about 155,500 two-way passengers in 2024, a rise of 23% from the prior year. Only around 33,000 of those passengers traveled nonstop; the majority connected via hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Frankfurt.

IndiGo aims to shift a share of those connecting passengers to the new nonstop, especially those starting or ending trips in Mumbai or Copenhagen. Aviation analysts view this as timely: the Indian outbound market is expanding quickly, and Northern Europe is attracting more Indian students, tech workers, and tourists each year.

Key details for the inaugural phase:
– Launch date: October 8, 2025
– Frequency: 3x weekly
– Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner under a wet/damp lease from Norse Atlantic Airways
– Configuration: 338 seats (56 Premium, 282 Economy)
– Booking: Open via IndiGo’s official website; schedules live in the reservation system
– Aircraft provider: Norse Atlantic Airways

IndiGo’s wider fleet and Europe strategy

IndiGo’s network now spans over 2,200 daily flights across more than 90 domestic and 40 international destinations, with a fleet of about 400 aircraft as of mid-September 2025.

• The airline has used wet-leased Boeing 787-9s to begin Europe long-haul operations while awaiting deliveries of its own Airbus A350-900s (from 2027) and A321XLRs (from 2026).
• The same Norse Atlantic 787-9 fleet has supported IndiGo’s launches to Amsterdam and Manchester, both added in summer 2025.

Copenhagen provides a Nordic foothold aligned with the city’s role as a regional hub. The airport’s links into Sweden and Norway, Denmark’s life sciences and business sectors, and rail/road links across the Øresund region widen the route’s catchment beyond Denmark.

Travel and visa considerations

The new nonstop will allow Indian travelers with approved Schengen visas to fly directly to Denmark’s capital. Short-stay visas for Denmark (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) follow Schengen rules.

• Applicants should review current requirements and processing times through official channels. Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides guidance at: Short-stay visas for Denmark (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
• Confirm appointment availability, biometric needs, and processing windows well ahead of planned trips, especially around holidays and school breaks.

For Danish citizens traveling to India:
– Visa needs depend on travel purpose and length of stay.
– Many travelers use India’s e-visa system for tourism, business, or short family visits; others may require a sticker visa via an outsourced center.
– Check the latest entry rules, passport validity requirements, and health advisories directly with Indian authorities or the airline before departure.

Benefits of the nonstop for travelers:
– Simplifies connections onward to Indian cities (Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, etc.) via IndiGo’s domestic network.
– Reduces the need for third-country transit visas previously required for connecting itineraries.
– Useful for students transporting checked baggage for long stays and for business travelers needing shorter, more reliable trips.

Competitive landscape and outlook

IndiGo will be the sole operator on Mumbai–Copenhagen until Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) enters the market on June 2, 2026, with five weekly Airbus A330-300 flights. SAS’s arrival is expected to increase capacity and fare choice.

IndiGo’s broader fleet orders and strategy:
– 30 Airbus A350-900s ordered for delivery from 2027.
– 70 A321XLRs expected from 2026.
– Leased widebodies let the airline build brand recognition on long-haul routes and adapt quickly to demand shifts.

Onboard product and operations:
– The service will reflect Norse Atlantic’s 787-9 two-cabin layout (Premium and Economy) combined with IndiGo’s service approach.
– The 787-9’s lower cabin altitude and higher humidity can improve passenger comfort.
– Aircraft will carry IndiGo branding but not full IndiGo livery, consistent with a wet/damp-lease arrangement.

Travel planners should note:
1. SAS enters June 2, 2026 — expect more seats and schedule options.
2. Peak seasons push prices up — book early for winter holidays or major events.
3. Visa and passport checks — review requirements early via official sources.
4. Connections beyond Mumbai/Copenhagen — use IndiGo’s domestic network or Scandinavian rail/air links.

Market composition and implications

The Denmark–India market includes:
– Business ties: pharmaceuticals, shipping, green energy, tech services
– Tourism flows both directions: Danes visiting India; Indians visiting Copenhagen and the Nordics
– Education: Indian students pursuing programs in engineering, sustainability, and life sciences

IndiGo’s three-times-weekly pattern helps test demand while building recognition and loyalty. If demand follows the recent 23% year-on-year rise, the airline may increase frequencies once its own long-haul fleet arrives.

Operational context and risks

As of September 15, 2025, IndiGo reported 400 aircraft, though 51 were grounded. Despite this, the carrier has maintained its long-haul expansion through the Norse Atlantic partnership, demonstrating a way to open new markets while awaiting its own widebodies.

Analysts (including VisaVerge.com) see India–Nordics routes as having growth potential as travelers tire of multi-stop journeys and as visa processing stabilizes. However, demand can be sensitive to travel advisories, economic shifts, and student flow changes. IndiGo’s damp-lease model provides operational flexibility to adjust faster than a fleet-locked plan.

Practical tips for early bookers

• Passengers booking for October should watch for minor schedule refinements early in the service as rotations and crew assignments are fine-tuned.
• IndiGo notes detailed timings are available on its booking platform.
• For support, IndiGo customer service numbers in India are 0124-6173838 or 0124-4973838.
• Norse Atlantic provides aircraft and operational details at www.flynorse.com.

The biggest practical wins: saved time, fewer connections, reduced visa complications for transit, and simpler travel for families, students, businesses, and tourists.

Copenhagen Airport benefits too: adding a nonstop to Mumbai strengthens its role as a gateway to South Asia and leverages transfer and Øresund region links to expand the route’s passenger base.