Sunday, June 1, 2025
UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany have partnered with India through a new airline alliance to drive a surge in tourism and unlock unprecedented travel growth across both regions. With IndiGo preparing to launch long-haul services and joining forces with Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta, the partnership will open up direct and seamless connectivity between major Indian cities and key European destinations. This move comes at a time when Indian outbound travel is booming, with rising international demand and higher tourist spending, positioning Europe to benefit significantly from India’s growing role in global tourism.
A Strategic Alliance Bridging Two Continents
The new partnership is designed to streamline international air travel between India and key European markets. Travelers flying from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru will soon have seamless access to dozens of European destinations including London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, with onward connections throughout the region.
Air France and KLM will expand their India-Europe schedules, Virgin Atlantic will build on its growing codeshare agreement with IndiGo, and Delta will support transatlantic connectivity. Together, these carriers will integrate their route networks, schedules, and loyalty programs to offer travelers a smoother and more unified experience.
IndiGo, which already operates the largest domestic network in India, is entering the wide-body space in 2025 with long-haul operations. These new routes will allow it to link directly with partner hubs in Europe, making it a central bridge between South Asia and Western Europe.
Europe Welcomes Surge in Indian Travelers
For the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany, the alliance could not come at a better time. All four countries have seen a strong rebound in tourism post-COVID, but are still rebuilding international traffic volumes—especially from non-European markets.
India presents a huge opportunity. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), international visitor spending will reach $2.1 trillion in 2025, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of 2019 by $164 billion. UN Tourism also projects global tourist arrivals to rise by 3% to 5% in 2025, with India expected to be one of the top outbound contributors.
A growing number of Indian travelers are looking westward for leisure, education, business, and family visits. The UK and Germany remain two of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students and professionals. France and the Netherlands continue to attract tourists with cultural landmarks, shopping, and vibrant local experiences.
With India’s middle class rapidly expanding and per capita income rising, Indian travelers now spend more per trip than many of their counterparts in more mature markets. The surge is being driven by younger travelers, luxury tourism, and a growing interest in Europe’s diverse destinations beyond the capitals.
IndiGo Expands with A350s as Demand Grows
To support this international leap, IndiGo is expanding its fleet with the addition of wide-body aircraft, including a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 jets equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. These aircraft will allow the airline to operate direct, long-haul flights to Europe, enhancing its competitiveness in the international market.
The move follows IndiGo’s historic 2023 deal for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, the largest single aircraft order ever placed in commercial aviation. With more than 350 aircraft currently in operation and nearly 1,000 more on order, IndiGo is scaling aggressively to become a global force.
In the quarter ending March 2025, IndiGo reported a 62% jump in quarterly net profit to ₹3,067 crore, fueled by domestic travel tied to the Maha Kumbh mela and wedding season. While full-year profits dipped slightly—₹7,258 crore, down 11% year-on-year—the airline’s expansion strategy remains on track. Its financial strength supports the long-haul ambitions required to execute this India-Europe vision.
A Win for European Carriers Too
Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic have already deepened their ties with IndiGo through codeshare agreements that now span over 30 Indian cities. KLM recently announced a new route connecting Amsterdam to Hyderabad, beginning September 2025, giving travelers from Europe access to more of India than ever before.
With this partnership, Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic will gain access to Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities that previously required multiple transfers. The improved reach gives them a stronger foothold in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market.
At the same time, European countries stand to benefit economically. Indian visitors support local businesses, cultural tourism, shopping, and events—sectors that suffered during the pandemic and are still in recovery mode. Cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Munich are already seeing a spike in Indian arrivals, and the alliance is expected to accelerate that trend.
International Travel Trends Reinforce the Timing
Industry data backs the rationale behind this alliance. In April 2025, airlines in the Asia-Pacific region saw a 14.4% increase in passenger demand, according to IATA. European carriers posted a 9.4% gain, while North America recorded a 5.4% rise—with much of that traffic fueled by long-haul international bookings.
Meanwhile, Q1 2025 passenger traffic rose 5.3% year-on-year globally, hitting 2.16 trillion Revenue Passenger-Kilometers (RPK). International travel led the surge, rising 7.8%, compared to 1.4% for domestic travel. This points to a clear trend: travelers are crossing borders in larger numbers, and alliances like this one are crucial to meeting demand.
Looking Ahead
As India partners with the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany under this new airline alliance, both sides are positioned to benefit from expanded connectivity, rising tourism, and deeper economic ties. For European nations eager to attract high-spending international travelers, and for India looking to cement its role as a global aviation hub, this partnership marks the start of a powerful new chapter in cross-continental travel.
