“The next decade will represent the most significant phase of international expansion in our history,” Bhatia wrote in InterGlobe Aviation’s FY26 annual report.
“Our ambition is not only to connect India to the world but also to establish India as one of the most important global aviation hubs of the future,” he said.
The comments come as IndiGo marks 20 years of operations, having grown from a low-cost startup into India’s largest airline with over 60% domestic market share. The carrier now operates more than 2,150 daily flights across over 140 destinations and carried more than 123 million passengers during FY26.
Bhatia’s letter signals a shift in IndiGo’s long-term strategy—from building dominance in India’s domestic market to establishing a stronger global footprint through long-haul operations, premium offerings and investments in aviation infrastructure.
“The story of Indian aviation is only beginning, and we are privileged to help shape its next chapter,” he wrote.
From India’s biggest to a global airline
During FY26, IndiGo launched long-haul services to the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe, became the first airline in India to induct the Airbus A321XLR aircraft, introduced direct flights to Athens, resumed operations to mainland China and expanded its international network with routes including Kolkata-Shanghai, Delhi-Colombo, Delhi-Krabi and Mumbai-Fujairah. The airline also became the launch carrier for Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport.
Bhatia said the airline was investing in fleet, technology, infrastructure, digital capabilities and talent as it prepares for what it sees as a multi-decade growth opportunity driven by India’s rising middle class, expanding economy and increasing global integration.
“We firmly believe that India is entering a multi-decade aviation growth cycle, and we are positioning ourselves to lead that transformation,” he said.
The letter also highlights IndiGo’s efforts to move beyond its traditional low-cost positioning. The airline has introduced premium offerings such as IndiGoStretch, IndiGoStretch+ and UpFront seating under its “6E Ways to Fly” product framework, while expanding investments in artificial intelligence, digital services and customer experience.
Lessons from December’s disruptions
At the same time, Bhatia acknowledged the operational disruption the airline faced during the first week of December, describing it as “an extremely challenging time” for both customers and employees.
“We have taken all the necessary steps to learn from this episode and emerge stronger,” he wrote, adding that the airline had strengthened its systems, processes and operational resilience for the future.
Geopolitics and fuel remain key risks
The IndiGo chief also warned that the aviation industry continues to face significant external challenges, including geopolitical tensions, airspace restrictions, supply-chain bottlenecks and currency volatility.
“Fuel remains one of the largest cost components for any airline, and volatility in global energy markets continues to create significant operating uncertainty,” Bhatia wrote. He added that Indian aviation had also been adversely affected by prolonged airspace closures, while global shortages of aircraft, engines and components continued to weigh on airlines’ expansion plans.
Despite the near-term challenges, Bhatia said IndiGo remained confident that India’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies would underpin long-term demand for air travel.
“As India continues its emergence as one of the world’s most important economies, aviation will play an increasingly strategic role in enabling the country’s next phase of growth,” he wrote, citing rising incomes, infrastructure development, manufacturing expansion and greater global integration as key drivers of future demand.
Alongside its network expansion, IndiGo is also investing in aviation infrastructure, including a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, expected to become operational in 2028. The airline said the facility would strengthen maintenance capabilities, improve operational resilience and support India’s ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.
