Abhishek Sinha
Shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) — India’s largest airline — jumped 3.5% to ₹5,833 in Thursday’s early trade, surprising many investors. The rally came even as the company reported a widened Q2 net loss of ₹2,582 crore, nearly 2.6 times higher than last year’s loss of ₹987 crore. So what exactly fueled this market optimism?
✈️ 1. Upgraded FY26 Capacity Guidance
IndiGo’s management raised its FY26 capacity growth forecast from low double digits to mid-teens, indicating strong confidence in future demand.
The airline plans to expand operations in both domestic and international markets, signaling a strategic push for growth despite short-term losses.
💼 2. Strong Revenue and Execution
Despite the loss, IndiGo’s revenue from operations grew 9.3% year-on-year to ₹18,555 crore in Q2FY26, driven by:
- Better capacity utilization,
- Efficient route planning, and
- Strong operational execution.
This revenue growth shows that the company’s core business remains healthy and scalable.
💸 3. Forex Losses — One-off Impact
IndiGo reported a foreign exchange loss of ₹2,892 crore (vs ₹204 crore last year), a massive 1,102% YoY jump.
However, analysts believe this loss is temporary and largely due to rupee depreciation — not a fundamental business weakness.
🛫 4. Fleet Expansion and Long-Term Vision
The airline inducted 15 aircraft in Q2 and plans to make 30–40% of its fleet owned or financed by 2030 (instead of sale-and-leasebacks).
It also doubled its Airbus A350 order from 30 to 60 aircraft, reinforcing its intent to strengthen its international network.
📊 5. Brokerage Confidence Boosted Investor Sentiment
Three leading brokerages maintained a “Buy” rating on IndiGo, showing continued institutional confidence.
🔹 Jefferies:
- Rating: Buy
- Target Price: ₹7,025
- Note: “Operational beat in a weak quarter; forex MTM hit won’t affect long-term fundamentals.”
🔹 Citi:
- Rating: Buy
- Target Price: ₹6,500
- Comment: “Despite forex losses, yields and revenues exceeded expectations; growth guidance raised.”
🔹 Motilal Oswal:
- Rating: Buy
- Target Price: ₹7,000
- Outlook: “Mid-teens capacity growth, stable yields, and higher international exposure will sustain profitability.”
📈 6. Investor Takeaway
Even though Q2 showed a loss, the market looked beyond short-term pain, focusing on:
✅ Higher FY26 capacity targets
✅ Expanding international network
✅ Strong yield and demand outlook
✅ Institutional “Buy” calls
That’s why IndiGo’s share price took off, reflecting confidence in its long-term growth trajectory and strategic clarity.
In summary:
IndiGo’s Q2 losses came from currency turbulence, not operational weakness.
Its forward-looking growth plans and consistent brokerage support turned turbulence into tailwind for investors.
