India’s tourism sector made a strong statement at the FITUR 2026 international tourism fair, reinforcing its position as a dynamic global destination and expanding its outreach in key European and international markets.
Over the five-day event in Madrid, India’s presence was marked by a wide participation of state tourism boards, private sector partners and industry leaders, highlighting diverse tourism products including heritage circuits, wellness retreats, cultural routes and wildlife experiences. Tourism stakeholders engaged with global buyers and travel professionals to deepen market linkages and showcase India’s growing attractiveness as a year-round international destination. India’s participation also aligned with strategic dialogues on sustainable tourism and innovation, demonstrating the country’s readiness to leverage global platforms for targeted tourism promotion and business engagement. The fair attracted strong international attendance, underlining renewed confidence in global travel and creating opportunities for Indian travel enterprises to expand their footprint in European and other source markets.
IndiGo Launches First-Ever Direct Flights Between India and Greece
IndiGo has marked a significant milestone in India’s aviation landscape with the launch of non-stop direct flights between India and Greece, strengthening air connectivity between South Asia and Southern Europe for the first time through an Indian carrier. The new service is expected to boost outbound tourism, business travel, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The airline has commenced direct operations to Athens, Greece’s capital and a major European gateway, from Delhi and Mumbai, offering Indian travellers a seamless travel option to one of Europe’s most popular leisure and heritage destinations. The flights are currently scheduled multiple times a week, providing convenient access without the need for transit stops through Middle Eastern or European hubs.
The routes are operated using IndiGo’s new-generation long-range aircraft, enabling the airline to efficiently serve long-haul international sectors while maintaining its focus on affordability and operational efficiency. With reduced travel time and direct connectivity, the new service significantly enhances the overall travel experience for Indian passengers heading to Greece and the wider Mediterranean region.
Athens serves as an important gateway not only to mainland Greece but also to several iconic island destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes. The introduction of direct flights is expected to increase demand among Indian leisure travellers, honeymooners, cruise passengers, and cultural explorers seeking Europe’s ancient history, scenic coastlines, and vibrant lifestyle.
The launch also reflects growing bilateral engagement between India and Greece, with increasing interest in tourism, trade, education, and investment. Direct air connectivity is expected to encourage smoother movement of professionals, students, and business delegations, while also supporting the hospitality and tourism sectors in both markets.
For the Indian travel trade, the new route opens fresh opportunities to design Greece-focused itineraries, including island hopping holidays, luxury vacations, destination weddings, and cruise extensions. Travel planners anticipate strong interest from premium and experiential travel segments, particularly during the peak European summer season.
IndiGo’s expansion into Greece forms part of its broader international growth strategy, as the airline continues to strengthen India’s global air links beyond traditional short-haul markets. By adding Greece to its network, IndiGo has taken a decisive step toward positioning India as a well-connected outbound travel hub.
With this launch, Greece becomes more accessible than ever for Indian travellers, while IndiGo further consolidates its role as a key driver of India’s international aviation growth.
