Summary
- IndiGo is expanding its international reach by adding flights to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
- The airline will fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan four times weekly, promoting trade and cultural interaction between India and Uzbekistan.
- IndiGo will also commence service to Almaty, Kazakhstan around the same time.
IndiGo will commence operations in Central Asia next month by flying to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The airline has introduced a bunch of new international flights lately as it looks to expand its reach in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia. IndiGo now has more than 30 overseas destinations in its network and plans to significantly increase its share of India’s international market in the next few years.
Flight to Tashkent
On September 22nd, IndiGo will fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan – its 31st international and 110th overall destination. The four weekly flights between Delhi and Tashkent will cater to the increasing travel demand between the two cities and are expected to promote trade and cultural interaction between India and Uzbekistan. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, commented,
“We are thrilled to announce the magnificent addition of Tashkent, the capital & the largest city of Uzbekistan, as the 31st international destination in our 6E network. As a cherished cultural hub and a storied city along the Great Silk Trade-Route, Tashkent beckons travellers with a tapestry of timeless wonders to explore at the heart of Central Asia.”
IndiGo will operate its Tashkent service as per the following schedule:
Flight no. | Origin | Destination | Frequency | Effective | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6E 1805 | Delhi | Tashkent | Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | September 22nd | 20:50 | 23:25 |
6E 1806 | Tashkent | Delhi | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | September 22nd | 01:05 | 05:10 |
Flight to Almaty
A day after its inaugural Tashkent flight, IndiGo will also commence service to another Central Asian city – Almaty in Kazakhstan. This will be the carrier’s 32nd international destination and the 111th overall station within its extensive 6E network. Malhotra commented,
“We are excited to introduce new direct connectivity between Delhi and Almaty, Kazakhstan, opening access to one of the world's ten largest countries. This addition holds great promise for leisure travelers, who can now explore Kazakhstan's impressive architectural landmarks and vibrant city atmosphere.”
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IndiGo’s Almaty service will have the following schedule:
Flight no. | Origin | Destination | Frequency | Effective | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6E 1801 | Delhi | Almaty | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | September 23rd | 20:50 | 01:05 |
6E 1802 | Almaty | Delhi | Wednesday, Friday, Sunday | September 23rd | 02:05 | 05:10 |
International ambitions
IndiGo has been pursuing a rather aggressive international expansion strategy. For years, it continued to strengthen its position within India’s domestic market to the point where it now has a grasp of over 60% of the market.
Not only has it started or announced several new routes in Asia, Middle East, and even Africa, but its partnership with Turkish Airlines has also expanded significantly in the last few months. The airline has gained access through codeshare partnership to new European destinations (Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, the UK, Israel, Austria, and France, among others), the US, and, more recently, Morocco.
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Its widebody operations through damp-leased Boeing 777s are being viewed as IndiGo dipping its toes into long-haul operations amid rumors that it could soon place a significant order for Boeing 787 aircraft. If and when that happens, one could expect IndiGo to go full-steam ahead with its international ambitions.
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