British Airways is looking to boost connectivity between India and the United Kingdom, the airline said on Tuesday. The airline emphasised its goal to look for growth opportunities in India, as part of a trade mission to the country, led by UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer.
British Airways reaffirms goal to boost UK-India connectivity © British Airways
British Airways to expand its India-UK network
British Airways, reaffirming its growth plans for India, will add a third daily flight between London Heathrow Airport and Delhi in 2026. Subject to regulatory approvals, this route is meant to increase connectivity between the two countries. The airline will also look out for further growth opportunities in India, it said.
Currently, British Airways operates 56 flights per week to India, meaning almost 1.5 million seats are operated by the airline between London and India each year. “This makes India British Airways’ biggest market outside of the US,” as per the airline.
British Airways facilitates the UK Government’s India trade mission © British Airways
Facilitating the UK Government Trade mission
The airline reaffirmed its commitment to India while facilitating a trade mission by the UK Government to India, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It flew around 130 top UK CEOs and senior government ministers out to India on a chartered British Airways flight.
The mission’s goal was to boost trade between the two countries, following a Trade Agreement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and India’s Prime Minister Narender Modi, in July.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“British Airways has been connecting the United Kingdom with India for more than a century – a symbol of the enduring partnership, and deep cultural and economic ties between our two nations. As our landmark trade deal paves the way for new opportunities for businesses, our national flag carrier will play a critical role in strengthening trade links with India, boosting UK growth and helping deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways, commenting on the airline’s plans for India, said:
“Our ties with India were established over 100 years ago, and today we have around 2,500 British Airways colleagues based there. We’ve been steadily increasing capacity between the UK and India over the years and we’re now operating 56 direct services to five Indian cities each week.
“The Free Trade Agreement with India will boost economic momentum between our two countries, and British Airways really sits at the centre of that activity, acting as an enabler for increased trade. We will develop our own network alongside increased economic activity, so the FTA for our business is very good news. “
Beyond adding a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi, it will also bring back the First cabin to its flights to Mumbai and will add its latest business class Club Suite on select flights across all five of its routes to India by the end of next year.
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