IndiGo has announced a dual expansion of its international network with the resumption of flights to Doha from May 1, 2026, alongside the launch of a new direct service between Chennai and Réunion Island, further strengthening its presence across the Middle East and the Indian Ocean region.
The airline will reinstate its full schedule of over 60 weekly flights connecting Doha with seven Indian cities—Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi and Mumbai—following the reopening of regional airspace after recent geopolitical disruptions. The resumption restores a key corridor for both point-to-point and transit traffic, with Doha continuing to serve as an important global hub for onward international connections.
At the same time, IndiGo has introduced non-stop flights between Chennai and Réunion Island, becoming the only Indian carrier to operate direct services to the destination. The route will be operated three times a week, offering improved accessibility to the island for leisure travellers, business passengers, and the Indian diaspora. Known for its volcanic terrain, coral lagoons and UNESCO-listed natural sites, Réunion Island is expected to emerge as a niche outbound destination for Indian travellers seeking alternative long-haul experiences.
Together, these developments underline IndiGo’s ongoing strategy to expand into underserved international markets while reinforcing high-demand corridors. The combination of restored Middle East connectivity and the addition of a unique Indian Ocean destination reflects the airline’s focus on balancing network depth with new growth opportunities across global travel markets.
Commenting on the launch, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said the new route reflects the airline’s continued focus on expanding its international footprint while enhancing connectivity for tourism, trade, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic. He added that direct access to Réunion Island is expected to improve travel convenience and unlock new demand across both leisure and business segments.
The introduction of this route also aligns with IndiGo’s broader strategy of tapping into underserved international destinations and building direct connectivity from key Indian metros, further strengthening its position in the outbound travel market.
