Indigo wings intercontinental expansion with a Codeshare

Highlights

• Indigo enters into a Codeshare agreement with Turkish airline
• Ties up with Istanbul based airlines for larger global presence
• Indigo set to change the way budget-carrier airlines operate, increasing their reachability to other international destinations

The official statement declared the first Codeshare agreement between IndiGo and Turkish airlines. The pact is a part of international expansion strategy, as with the amalgamation, IndiGo customers will now have an option to travel multi-European destinations through the airline’s newly developed extensive network.

Indigo has a 42% share of the Indian aviation market, and analysts expect it to grow further as it adds capacity at a rapid pace. IndiGo’s move headwinds the budget airline industry.  The airline carrier faces rapid, and ambitious expansion. The expansion of Indigo is expected to strengthen their balance sheets, and commit to the increased financial woes.

Mutual cooperation agreement between the two airline brands are subjected to regulatory green light, giving a chance to both the carriers to be flexible in the choice of passengers between India, Istanbul and beyond. Reacting to the agreement signed Rahul Bhatia, Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said, “We are very excited to be launching our first Codeshare with Turkish Airlines: apart from supporting our upcoming direct services to Istanbul, this strategic partnership will expand the choices available to our customers for journeys beyond Istanbul, using Turkish Airlines’ extensive network. It will become possible for our customers to book itineraries into many cities in Europe on IndiGo, using Turkish Airlines and experiencing their renowned inflight service.”

While Bilal Eksi, CEO and Deputy Chairman of the Board, Turkish Airlines said, “We are very happy to host new operators in our main hub Istanbul, and IndiGo will be the first Indian carrier starting flights to Turkey which is very welcome. We believe that it would be great opportunity to improve our cooperation with our new Codeshare partner IndiGo, which will provide new services and destinations for our passengers travelling to/from India.

Indigo set to change the way budget-carrier airlines operate

Indigo follows aviation industry newcomers like Etihad airways and other gulf-centric airlines which are taking competition neck-to-neck for American and European carriers by aggressive expansion. IndiGo has 97 operational aircraft, 180 additional aircrafts already ordered in making. It is changing the face of budget airline carriers in India.