The Indian national airline is introducing four new routes from London Gatwick to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kochi, and Goa, transferring them from London Heathrow and offering three weekly flights on each route.
Each of the four new routes will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Flights to Ahmedabad and Amritsar commenced on Sunday, March 26, with Kochi services starting on Monday, March 27, and Goa on Tuesday, March 28.
Air India is also increasing its frequencies from London Heathrow, offering five additional weekly flights to Delhi, which will increase from 14 to 17 per week, and Mumbai, increasing from 12 to 14 per week.
The airline plans to upgrade its equipment on the London Heathrow-Delhi, and Mumbai routes with Boeing 777 aircraft, anticipated to be introduced from May 2023, initially on the Delhi route, allowing for the reintroduction of First Class service for passengers.
Campbell Wilson, Air India's Managing Director and CEO, stated that the airline has ambitious but targeted plans to reestablish Air India as a leading global carrier. The substantial investment in customer service, new aircraft, and the overall brand will allow the airline to capture market share on key UK-India routes and attract more business and leisure travelers to India.
The launch of services from London Gatwick, as well as the expansion at Heathrow, offers passengers even more options for entering India.
Air India also operates flights from Birmingham to Amritsar and Delhi three times a week on each route. In total, Air India offers 49 weekly flights between the UK and India.
