Air India is expanding its presence in the UK in a move that strengthens the strong ties between the UK and India, as it undergoes a massive modernization program to transform itself into a world-class premium airline.
India’s national carrier is launching four new services from London Gatwick to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kochi and Goa, transferring them from London Heathrow and flying each route three times a week.
Each of the four new services will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Flights to Ahmedabad and Amritsar commenced on Sunday 26 March, flights to Kochi commenced today (Monday 27 March) and to Goa on Tuesday 28 March.
From London Heathrow, Air India is adding five additional weekly flights, with flights to Delhi increasing from 14 to 17 times per week and Mumbai from 12 to 14 times per week, from Sunday 26 March.
Air India is also planning to upgrade equipment on London Heathrow to Delhi and Mumbai routes with Boeing 777 aircraft, which are expected to be added from May 2023, initially on the Delhi route. This will restore first class service to passengers.
Air India also flies from Birmingham to Amritsar and Delhi three times a week on each route. In total, there are 49 flights per week between the UK and India.
The airline, which currently has 126 aircraft, has embarked on a major transformation, having recently placed its largest firm firm orders ever totaling 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing, with deliveries starting later in 2023.
The new aircraft orders add to the 36 narrow- and wide-body aircraft the airline had leased at the end of 2022, which have already been added to its fleet. The airline has also committed more than $400 million to a project to completely refurbish its aging wide-body fleet, which includes 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 13 Boeing 777s, which will see a complete overhaul of the existing cabin interior.
This will include the addition of state-of-the-art seating and the best in-flight entertainment in all classes. In addition, the renovation will see the introduction of a premium economy cabin on both fleets.
As part of firm orders for 470 new aircraft, Air India has selected 250 new Airbus aircraft, consisting of 40 A350s and 210 A320/A321neos, as well as 220 Boeing aircraft, consisting of 190 Boeing 737 MAX, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing planes. 777X.
The first six Airbus A350s are expected to arrive by the end of 2023. Fleet demand and expansion at Gatwick will see around 500 new jobs created in the UK thanks to Air India’s ambitious transformation.
Fleet demand and the expansion of its network mark a rapid return for one of the world’s most recognized carriers. Air India joined the Tata Group in 2022. The transformation will include significant changes to its brand, world-class customer service offerings on the ground and in the air, and more dynamic digital products.
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