Increasing Frequency: IndiGo Adds Flights to Three Central Asia Cities

As the traffic between India and Central Asia continues to grow, IndiGo, the largest airline in India has announced the frequency increment on routes connecting Delhi to Almaty, Tbilisi, and Tashkent. Central Asia is one region, from which IndiGo draws a significant number of connecting passengers.

IndiGo started flights to these three destinations in mid-2023.

IndiGo Expanding into Central Asia

From August 16, IndiGo will be operating daily flights from Delhi to Almaty and Tbilisi. From the next day August 17, it will increase the frequency of the Delhi to Tashkent route to daily flights. IndiGo started the Tbilisi service in August 2023. Tashkent and Almaty flights were started in September 2023.

Currently, IndiGo is operating four times a week to Tashkent and three times a week each to Almaty and Tbilisi. With this expansion, it will be operating daily flights to all four CIS destinations, including above stated three and Baku.

IndiGo is seeing an uptick in demand between India and CIS Countries. Hence, it has increased the frequency of these flights. These additions are expected to strengthen the trade and tourism between India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia.

This news comes just a day after the flag carrier of Armenia announced the launch of non-stop flights between India and Yerevan. These back-to-back additions highlight the growing demand between both regions.

IndiGo Head of Global Sales, Vinay Malhotra delightedly announced this frequency increment. The airline is looking to serve the increasing demand for outbound and leisure travelers to Central Asia. He added that IndiGo is committed to deliver an affordable and hassle-free travel experience for its passengers.

Competition Brewing

Let us take a look at how these additions will impact the route demographics. Despite the increase, Air Astana will continue its dominance on the Delhi to Almaty route with 13 weekly flights. Jointly, both airlines will be operating 20 weekly flights on this route.

On Delhi to Tashkent route, IndiGo will match the frequency of Uzbekistan Airways. But Uzbekistan Airways deploys the Boeing 787 and 767 on this route, against the Airbus A320neo of IndiGo. Belavia too operates once a week on this route.

IndiGo is the sole operator on the Delhi to Tbilisi route. Hence, there is no competition. The airline had already upgraded the Baku service to daily flights. From 12 March 2024, the frequency was increased from previous 4X weekly.

Russian publication RT reported that Russia may allow visa-free entry for Indian citizens by the end of this year. If this happens, we may see a bunch of more flight services between India and Russia.

Conclusion

Indian carrier IndiGo has announced the increase of frequency on routes connecting Delhi to Almaty, Tashkent, and Tbilisi. The airline will operate daily flights on all 4 CIS routes. With these additions, it will cater to the increasing demand between India and Central Asia.

What do you think about these service additions to Central Asia by IndiGo? Discuss in the comment section.