The new connections will improve the airline’s connectivity with Central Asia. Baku is IndiGo’s 30th international destination and 108th overall destination in its network.
Better connectivity to Central Asia
The airline’s inaugural flight between Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) was launched on August 11, 2023. IndiGo’s flight 6E1803, operated by an Airbus A320neo aircraft registered as VT-IPO, completed its journey in just four hours, according to Flightradar24.com.
The airline is set to operate this route four times a week, utilizing its fleet of Airbus A320s and Airbus A321 jets. When combined with Azerbaijan Airlines’ three weekly flights between Baku and Delhi, the total count of direct flights between the two cities now reaches seven per week.
The airline announced this route back in July 2023. With the commencement of this route, the airline aims to attract a more significant number of business and leisure travelers. In reference to the launch of this route, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, stated:
“We are delighted to announce the launch of new flights connecting Delhi and Baku, reinvigorating the historical Silk Route connection between these two vibrant cities. Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea,
This strategic introduction addresses the growing travel demand from India to Azerbaijan, while also promoting cultural exchanges and fostering stronger bilateral ties. With these flights, tourists will get to experience not only its medieval walled old city but also the contemporary landmarks.”
International expansion
Baku represents just one of the numerous international routes recently unveiled by IndiGo. The airline provided a broader overview of its expansion plans into Africa and Central Asia in June, which was subsequently followed by the formal announcements of specific routes.
On August 5, 2023, IndiGo started its service to Nairobi, Kenya, from Mumbai, representing the airline’s first scheduled flight to Africa.
The low-cost carrier also started a new direct international service between Hyderabad in South India and Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on June 15. IndiGo first started direct service to Ras Al Khaimah from Mumbai in September 2022.
