1st B777 in IndiGo-livery

On 1 February 2023, IndiGo started widebody operations by launching flights between Delhi and Istanbul using a wet-leased Boeing B777-300ER TC-LKA (41818) from Turkish Airlines.

Soon, IndiGo will also launch Mumbai-Istanbul with a second wet-leased B777-300ER. This aircraft has now been rolled-out of the paint hangar of Turkish Technic in the full livery of the Indian carrier and will soon start operations. The B777 is currently still registered as VQ-BZB (35783) but will become TC-LKD. Previously, it was operated by Alitalia as EI-WLA. It was supposed to go to Russian airline Azur Air but that never happened due to the imposed sanctions on Russia.

IndiGo, which currently only operates a narrowbody fleet of 39 ATR72-600s, 21 Airbus A320s, 160 A320neos, two A321s, and 79 A321neos, has outlined plans to wet-lease the two B777-300ERs for one year initially.

Photo by Turkish Technic.