Route Development & Rumours

[Iron Duck]

"Elbers chose Manchester as IndiGo’s first UK destination because of the large numbers of people with Indian heritage in the north-west of England but also because British Airways no longer flies long haul from Manchester, while Virgin’s and Air India’s services are from London. Birmingham is also in his sights, as are Newcastle and Gatwick."

The Ryanair of India is about to land in Britain – and its ambitious plans might just work

After dominating the sub-continent, low-cost behemoth IndiGo is taking the fight to the big European carriers

www.telegraph.co.uk

Also, and rather interestingly.... Birmingham Airport BHX is on the indigo website, alongside Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester....?!? Also Birmingham is listed on their Destination Page

https://www.goindigo.in/international-destinations/birmingham.html

https://www.goindigo.in/airport-directory/england/birmingham-bhx.html

This call all be because of their partnership and codeshare agreement with KLM/Air France but interesting....

Because of Turkish partnership

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

So if I’m correct we should have 3-4 new long haul carriers by 2027? Possibly 5?

Royal Jordanian-Amman-2027
Spicejet-Amritsar-Winter 2025
PIA-Islamabad-Whenever

Possibilities:
Air Transat-Toronto
Delta-Atlanta

 

[RichL]

"Elbers chose Manchester as IndiGo’s first UK destination because of the large numbers of people with Indian heritage in the north-west of England but also because British Airways no longer flies long haul from Manchester, while Virgin’s and Air India’s services are from London. Birmingham is also in his sights, as are Newcastle and Gatwick."

The Ryanair of India is about to land in Britain – and its ambitious plans might just work

After dominating the sub-continent, low-cost behemoth IndiGo is taking the fight to the big European carriers

www.telegraph.co.uk

Also, and rather interestingly.... Birmingham Airport BHX is on the indigo website, alongside Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester....?!? Also Birmingham is listed on their Destination Page

https://www.goindigo.in/international-destinations/birmingham.html

https://www.goindigo.in/airport-directory/england/birmingham-bhx.html

This call all be because of their partnership and codeshare agreement with KLM/Air France but interesting....

All flights via Istanbul it says.

EDIT: already says that above.

 

[IanFarquharson]

So if I’m correct we should have 3-4 new long haul carriers by 2027? Possibly 5?

Royal Jordanian-Amman-2027
Spicejet-Amritsar-Winter 2025
PIA-Islamabad-Whenever

Possibilities:
Air Transat-Toronto
Delta-Atlanta

The westbound rumour is neither of these !

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

When will the Spicejet route launch if it happens and when will be on sell if it does happen?

 

[David_itl]

I would say that it won't need a long lead-in time to generate decent numbers- most routes to India/Pakistan normally don't need to be announced 5 or 6 months in advance - we are talking 7 or 8 weeks would be enough tine for word to go round the local communities.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Couple of updates nothing major

1. KLM to operate its brand new A321neo for 5 weeks between 10th Jan 2026-15th Feb 2026 on weekends only operating the evening route to Amsterdam

2.HB international airlines are reportedly close to announcing resumption routes between the uk and Pakistan.Manchester,Gatwick and Birmingham and even Islamabad are even on the system though nothing bookable.Thanks to Sean M on that report.

 

[Scania1800]

Couple of updates nothing major

1. KLM to operate its brand new A321neo for 5 weeks between 10th Jan 2026-15th Feb 2026 on weekends only operating the evening route to Amsterdam

2.HB international airlines are reportedly close to announcing resumption routes between the uk and Pakistan.Manchester,Gatwick and Birmingham and even Islamabad are even on the system though nothing bookable.Thanks to Sean M on that report.

HB ( operated by Norse )

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

It will be really interesting to see if Vueling,Brussels airlines and Austrian Airlines will return to BHX next summer.3 big connective airlines serving Brussels Barcelona and Vienna .
Vueling and Brussels last flights are end of summer IATA season and don’t return for winter

 

[IanFarquharson]

The westbound rumour is neither of these !

Westbound rumour looking very promising

 

[Iron Duck]

Westbound rumour looking very promising

Is it a US carrier?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Is it a US carrier?

 

[rollo]

Now you've got me thinking
KRO ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

More Solihull Moors

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

More Solihull Moors

My team

 

[Iron Duck]

Given past woes, I hope it’s a reputable carrier that has a good business case to make TATL work.

 

[Ianbutty]

East and west or just west? Love a good guessing game.

 

[Karl C]

West.....and need a good route announcement....feeling a bit blue

 

[thunderchild]

West.....and need a good route announcement....feeling a bit blue

Hopefully not Global or Norse!

 

[Iron Duck]

Is it rather windy perhaps? Or a touch of mint?