IndiGo has launched a direct passenger service between Chennai and Réunion Island, marking the only non-stop air connection operated by an Indian carrier to the French overseas territory. The inaugural flight took off on 29 April, signalling the airline’s strategic entry into the western Indian Ocean aviation market.

The new route is expected to strengthen tourism, trade links, and people-to-people connectivity, particularly benefiting the sizeable Indian-origin community on the island.

IndiGo will operate the service three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flights are being operated using fuel-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft under flight numbers 6E 1871 and 6E 1872.

According to the schedule, flight 6E 1871 departs Chennai at 12:20 pm and arrives in Réunion at 5:10 pm local time. The return service, 6E 1872, leaves Réunion at 6:10 pm and reaches Chennai at 2:10 am the next day.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said the addition of Réunion Island strengthens the airline’s growing international network and offers improved connectivity for both leisure and business travellers. He added that the direct route is expected to provide greater convenience for passengers, including members of the Indian diaspora.

Réunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, is known for its volcanic landscapes, rainforests, and UNESCO-listed national parks. It has also emerged as a niche tourism destination offering activities such as hiking, canyoning, paragliding, and whale watching.

A key factor in the route’s commercial potential is the estimated 300,000-strong Indian-origin population on the island, which accounts for more than a third of its total residents. This demographic is expected to drive steady demand for direct air travel between the two regions.

Bookings for the Chennai–Réunion service are available via IndiGo’s official website, mobile app, and authorised travel partners. The airline is also offering add-on services such as seat selection, pre-booked meals, flexible fare options, and enhanced comfort upgrades for passengers.

The launch is part of IndiGo’s broader international expansion strategy as it continues to scale up operations beyond South Asia into long-haul and underserved mid-haul routes.