Beginning March 2026, Aegean Airlines will introduce direct flights from Greece to Delhi and Mumbai, marking the first-ever non-stop air connection between the two countries. Aegean is committing €4 billion ($6.45 billion AUD ) to expand its fleet with 60 new aircraft by 2031, as it prepares to launch its first direct flights to India using long-range Airbus jets.
New routes will be made possible through the addition of two Airbus A321neo XLR (extra-long-range) aircraft, scheduled for delivery in December 2025 and January 2026.
“With a flight range of up to 10.5 hours, the A321neo XLR not only extends our operational reach but also offers significantly enhanced comfort and services suited for long-haul travel,” said Aegean Group Chairman Eftichios Vassilakis.
The company head said that expansion to other long-haul destinations such as Bangalore, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Nairobi, Almaty and Lagos will be considered from 2027, with potential seasonal adjustments to operations.
“We are also evaluating additional long-haul destinations that this aircraft type could serve, depending on demand,” he added.
These are “special aircraft with an upgraded level of comfort and a differentiated travel experience, created to serve destinations outside the EU and with a flight distance of more than four hours”, Vassilakis said.
Vassilakis also noted the higher cost of the XLR variant.
“The cost of each aircraft is approximately 35 per cent higher than the 321neo,” he said.
While India is not yet a major source of inbound tourism to Greece, that is bound to change as the country’s middle class continues to grow rapidly. The large Indian diaspora in Australia will be able to visit India and from there link to Athens.
In 2024, approximately 30 million Indians traveled internationally, out of a population of 1.46 billion.
Aegean had initially intended to enter the Indian market in 2027 with four A321neo LR aircraft—capable of flying up to 8 hours—but delivery delays prompted a revised timeline.
With this updated plan, Aegean expects to receive a total of 60 A320/321neo aircraft by 2030.
