Saturday, March 15, 2025 London Gatwick and Manchester slots secured by IndiGo as the airline expands globally, eyeing Heathrow for future UK operations and long-haul growth. India’s IndiGo Secures Key UK Airport Slots, Eyes Global Expansion IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC), is taking a bold step towards international expansion by securing crucial landing slots at two major UK airports—London Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester (MAN). This milestone, confirmed by the ACL Start of Season Report, positions the airline closer to its long-haul ambitions.
The Heathrow Question: IndiGo’s Ultimate Goal? While Gatwick and Manchester are significant wins, all eyes remain on London Heathrow (LHR), the UK’s busiest and most coveted airport. Heathrow, a prime hub for premium and high-yield passengers, is IndiGo’s top target for its long-haul operations. However, with fierce competition and limited slot availability, securing access to Heathrow remains a major hurdle.
If Heathrow slots prove elusive, IndiGo may follow Air India’s strategy of launching London operations via Gatwick. Air India previously shifted its Kochi, Goa, and Amritsar flights to Gatwick due to Heathrow’s slot constraints. But IndiGo’s approach is different—its focus is on high-demand routes from India’s largest metro cities, Delhi and Mumbai, making Heathrow the ideal gateway for its expansion.
Manchester Move: Unlocking a New Market IndiGo’s Manchester slots signal its intent to serve N.
