New Delhi/Athens — IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost airline, and AEGEAN, Greece’s flagship carrier, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a wide-reaching codeshare agreement. The partnership is designed to boost air connectivity between South Asia and Europe, while also strengthening cultural and business ties between two of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Under the agreement, the two carriers will market each other’s flights, providing travelers with seamless booking options, through check-in services, and expanded itineraries that stretch from India’s domestic network to AEGEAN’s European destinations. The arrangement is expected to significantly broaden travel choices for both Indian and European passengers.
Broadening Reach Through Shared Networks
The codeshare deal will see AEGEAN’s “A3” flight code added to numerous IndiGo-operated services, enabling AEGEAN customers to access a wider range of cities across India and South Asia. In parallel, IndiGo’s “6E” code will appear on AEGEAN flights across Greece and Europe, primarily from its hub at Athens International Airport.
The integration offers both carriers a strategic advantage: IndiGo gains a foothold in the European market, while AEGEAN opens the door to the fast-growing Indian aviation sector. Officials say details on specific codeshare routes will be finalized and announced in the coming months.
New Direct Routes in 2026
Complementing the codeshare, both airlines plan to launch direct services between India and Greece in 2026. IndiGo will begin flying six weekly non-stop flights to Athens in January of that year. AEGEAN will follow by March with five weekly flights to Delhi and three weekly flights to Mumbai.
These new routes are expected to meet strong demand for tourism and business travel. India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets globally, while Greece continues to attract millions of international visitors each year. The new services are positioned to capture a share of this growing traffic and enhance bilateral connectivity.
Airline Leaders Welcome the Deal
Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo, described the agreement as a milestone for the airline. “This collaboration with AEGEAN is a significant milestone in our mission to enhance global connectivity and give wings to India,” Elbers said.
“Our customers can now book seamless travel itineraries across an expanded network, including Greece’s beautiful islands and other European destinations. By connecting two ancient civilizations, India and Greece, we are excited to foster stronger cultural and business ties through aviation,” he added.
Eftichios Vassilakis, Chairman of AEGEAN, emphasized the importance of the Indian market for the Greek airline’s growth. “Partnering with IndiGo, one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, is a strategic step to expand AEGEAN’s presence in the dynamic Indian market,” Vassilakis said.
“This partnership bridges Greece and India, offering passengers more travel choices and a seamless experience. We look forward to working with IndiGo to unlock new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange,” he said.
Passenger Benefits
For AEGEAN’s customer base, the tie-up offers access to IndiGo’s extensive domestic network, which spans over 90 cities within India and 40 international destinations across South Asia. This makes it easier for European travelers to reach destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, or Colombo without the hassle of multiple bookings.
On the other hand, IndiGo passengers will gain entry into AEGEAN’s well-established European network, covering 162 destinations in 47 countries, including Greece’s famed island destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. The codeshare also simplifies the travel process with through check-in and coordinated schedules that reduce transfer times.
The agreement aims to appeal to both leisure and business travelers, offering smoother itineraries and access to a broader range of destinations at competitive fares.
Company Profiles
IndiGo, with a fleet of more than 400 aircraft, is India’s largest airline by market share and passenger volume. It operates over 2,200 daily flights and carried more than 118 million passengers in fiscal year 2025. Known for its no-frills model and punctuality, the carrier was recently named “Best Airline in India and South Asia” at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
AEGEAN, founded in 1999 and a member of the Star Alliance, is Greece’s leading airline. The carrier, along with its subsidiary Olympic Air, flew 16.3 million passengers in 2024. AEGEAN has been recognized as “Best Regional Airline in Europe” by Skytrax for 14 consecutive years. With a fleet of 85 aircraft and revenue exceeding €1.7 billion, the company is focused on expanding its footprint across key international markets.
Outlook
Industry analysts say the IndiGo–AEGEAN agreement highlights the increasing importance of cross-continental alliances between regional carriers. For both airlines, the deal provides a cost-efficient way to expand their reach without investing heavily in new fleets or infrastructure.
As international travel continues its post-pandemic rebound, the move could position both carriers to capture market share in the lucrative India–Europe corridor. If successful, the codeshare could serve as a model for other regional airlines seeking to expand their global footprint through strategic partnerships.
