AEGEAN Airlines is taking a decisive step toward expanding its long-haul network eastward, announcing the acquisition of two new Airbus A321neo XLR aircraft that will enable the launch of direct flights to India from March 2026—almost a full year ahead of schedule.
This marks the airline’s most significant move yet under its “Eastward Expansion” initiative, placing India as the first major new destination beyond the European Union. The company aims to become the first to establish a direct air connection between Greece and India, potentially ahead of Indian carrier IndiGo, which has also announced upcoming routes to Greece.
An Airbus A320 of Greek airline Aegean is seen at the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens, Greece, June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
New Aircraft, New Possibilities
The announcement was made by AEGEAN Chairman Eftichios Vassilakis during an event at The Ilisian House of NYNN, where he presented the two A321neo XLRs expected to be delivered in December 2025 and January 2026. These aircraft are a new model introduced by Airbus in 2024 and were key to accelerating AEGEAN’s expansion plans.
“We had been searching since last September for a way to enter the Indian market earlier and to offer our level of service beyond the EU,” said Vassilakis. “With Airbus, we found the solution in these two new aircraft.”
The A321neo XLRs boast a range of up to 8,500 kilometers and a flight time capacity of up to 10.5 hours—significantly more than the 6,500-kilometer range of the current A321neo LR models. The new planes will feature 138 seats, including 24 fully lie-flat Business Class Suites offering enhanced comfort and privacy.
An Airbus A321 is being assembled in the final assembly line hangar at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama September 13, 2015. REUTERS/Michael Spooneybarger/File Photo
Economy passengers will also benefit from upgraded amenities such as larger personal space, 4K in-flight entertainment screens, satellite Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and more spacious overhead storage—designed specifically for long-haul journeys.
First Indian Destinations: Delhi and Mumbai
AEGEAN plans to begin direct flights to New Delhi in March 2026, with five weekly connections. This will be followed by three weekly flights to Mumbai starting in May of the same year. Detailed schedules, including days and flight times, will be released in late September, when ticket sales are also expected to open.
This development aligns with a broader strategy to expand AEGEAN’s special-purpose fleet. The airline already has four A321neo LR aircraft on order, due for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Combined with the new XLRs, these jets will enable AEGEAN to explore additional long-haul destinations such as Bangalore, Seychelles, Maldives, Nairobi, Almaty, and Lagos.
Targeting One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Travel Markets
Vassilakis highlighted the vast potential of the Indian travel market. Drawing comparisons with Greece, he noted that although only 0.5% of Indians report annual incomes over $53,000—compared to 2% in Greece—the size of India’s population means the absolute number of high-income travelers is nearly 40 times larger.
“In Greece, there are around 6 million outbound trips annually. Theoretically, India could reach 240 million, even though today they make under 30 million trips a year,” he said, underscoring the immense opportunity AEGEAN sees in connecting with Indian travelers.
Strategic Growth with Calculated Risk
Speaking at the same event, AEGEAN CEO Dimitrios Gerogiannis reflected on the airline’s growth strategy, emphasizing its steady, measured approach. “We have taken carefully planned steps, growing sustainably with controlled risk,” he said.
Currently, AEGEAN operates 250 routes to 162 destinations across 47 countries, with a balanced focus on both domestic and international networks.
The presentation was attended by Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas, and the Chairman of Athens International Airport, Yiannis Paraschis.
