Chennai: In a significant development, IndiGo has introduced non-stop flights between Chennai and Réunion Island, becoming the only Indian carrier to offer direct connectivity to the destination.
Réunion, a French Overseas Region and Department, is located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius.
IndiGo will operate three services a week using Airbus A320 aircraft. Flights to Réunion will operate under callsign 6E 1871 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The aircraft will depart Chennai at 12.20 pm and arrive at Réunion Island at 5.10 pm, as reported by News18.
Flight 6E 1872, will take off from Réunion at 6.10 pm on the same days and land in Chennai at 2.10 am the following day.
The decision to introduce this new route addresses a strong travel demand, driven by a large Indian-origin population on the island. Nearly 3,00,000 residents (nearly a third of the total population) of the island are of Indian descent and there is consistent movement between the two regions.
India not only serves as a key hub
for business, medical, wellness, and religious travel, it also offers onward connectivity to destinations across East Asia.
This move by IndiGo will certainly attract tourists as Réunion Island is widely recognised for its dramatic natural landscapes, including volcanic mountains, dense rainforests, waterfalls, and scenic beaches, all located within relatively short distances.
Significant portions of the island, such as its pitons, cirques, and ramparts, are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The island’s culture is a vibrant mix of African, European, Indian, and Asian influences.
The island also offers 15-day visa-free travel to Indian nationals with certain conditions.
Réunion is now moving beyond leisure tourism, emerging as a destination for business travellers, supported by expanding MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) infrastructure and a growing focus on sustainable tourism practices.
Vinay Malhotra, head of global sales at IndiGo, described the launch as a key milestone in the airline’s international growth. The destination offers a wide range of experiences, from hiking and canyoning in protected national parks to paragliding, whale watching, and snorkelling in coral reef lagoons, he noted.
IndiGo is currently the only Indian carrier offering direct flights to Réunion Island, enhancing convenience for travellers visiting for tourism, trade, or to connect with family and friends, he added.