IndiGo Ends Boeing Lease with Norse Atlantic Airways Amid Ongoing Conflicts

Indian budget airline IndiGo is terminating its lease agreement for six Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Norse Atlantic Airways, citing severe airspace disruptions and rising operational costs due to ongoing Middle East conflicts.

The lease arrangement was initially set to run until October 31, 2026, but will now end earlier as a result of the disruptions and increased fuel prices. IndiGo had operated the leased jets on long-haul routes to Europe and the UK since early 2025.

As part of its operational transition, IndiGo will shift its Mumbai-Amsterdam service to single-aisle Airbus A321XLR aircraft starting October 25, 2026. Flights connecting Mumbai to London Heathrow will be temporarily suspended from late October until the carrier receives its own Airbus A350-900 wide-body fleet, with deliveries set for 2027.

Norse Atlantic Airways' CEO Eivind Roald expressed confidence in the company's ongoing strategic adjustments, stating that returning the six aircraft opens up opportunities for more commercially beneficial leasing deals. Roald emphasized the market demand for modern, fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft and said the company is seeing strong demand for these types of planes.