Air India

[Ray Finkle]

It's still bookable on the AI website from July but I guess anything could happen.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Pakistan airspace still showing closed for India flights until at least 14th June, and may well continue for much longer, guess this will put a question mark on the Amristar flights restarting in July?

AI117/8 now not bookable until Sept 16th.

 

[Aviador]

Is this because of the continuing dispute between the two nations or for some other reason?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Is this because of the continuing dispute between the two nations or for some other reason?

It's mainly because of the air space closure but aircraft shortages aren't helping either. AI113/4 from Delhi is still taking a very long detour, often almost down to Mumbai, so it's understandable that Amritsar is delayed as that is much further.

First a two week suspension, then end of May, then June, then July, now September. I don't think that I'd put any money on it coming back this year.

 

[Ianbutty]

It's mainly because of the air space closure but aircraft shortages aren't helping either. AI113/4 from Delhi is still taking a very long detour, often almost down to Mumbai, so it's understandable that Amritsar is delayed as that is much further.

First a two week suspension, then end of May, then June, then July, now September. I don't think that I'd put any money on it coming back this year.

Is this a sign of an unhealthy airline? Worrying.

 

[SRDey]

It’s really sad that this political situation has caused such a massive impact on International flights to and from India. I really do hope it does improve very soon.

 

[SRDey]

On a lighter note I really would love for Air India to start direct flights to Mumbai and Kolkata from Birmingham. Kolkata would be great for ME as my family originate from West Bengal and my Mum’s family live in Kolkata and it’s a beautiful city that people fall in love with Kolkata is know as the city of joy for many reasons and I think it would also add such an unique city to fly to from Birmingham.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

On a lighter note I really would love for Air India to start direct flights to Mumbai and Kolkata from Birmingham. Kolkata would be great for ME as my family originate from West Bengal and my Mum’s family live in Kolkata and it’s a beautiful city that people fall in love with Kolkata is know as the city of joy for many reasons and I think it would also add such an unique city to fly to from Birmingham.

Hello SRDey and welcome to the forum.
Much as we'd all like to see new routes from BHX, I think that Air India have problems with their fleet at the momnet, with several aircraft grounded and being used for spares. Hopefully, their fortunes will change for the better and they will look into expansion.

Regards

Kevin

 

[SRDey]

Hello SRDey and welcome to the forum.
Much as we'd all like to see new routes from BHX, I think that Air India have problems with their fleet at the momnet, with several aircraft grounded and being used for spares. Hopefully, their fortunes will change for the better and they will look into expansion.

Regards

Kevin

Thank you so much Kelvin for the welcome and yes I really do hope that their fleet problems are sorted in the near future.

 

[Aviador]

Echoing what's already been said but welcome to Forums4airports @SRDey
How would you reach Kolkata, via Mumbai?

 

[Aviador]

View attachment 13479

Fallen in love with it already. I want to go there!

 

[SRDey]

Echoing what's already been said but welcome to Forums4airports @SRDey
How would you reach Kolkata, via Mumbai?

I would love it actually as much as I love flying to Kolkata on Emirates from Birmingham and Emirates service amazing. it would be nice to get a quicker flight to Kolkata especially if I have to go urgently to see my family and would be nice to also have couple of days stopover in Mumbai too

 

[SRDey]

View attachment 13479

Fallen in love with it already. I want to go there!

You will absolutely love it trust me it’s a city to die for we are know for our food Kolkata most famous for fish dishes, rice, our sweets, street food, meat curry’s and just any food in general. The main religious festival Durga Puja (4-5 day festival of Goddess Durga that usually fall between September & October) is like no other in the world and some of the most Beautiful Bollywood actresses are form Kolkata ( Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Mouni Roy ect...). Now Kolkata has recently renovated there Airport and the Airport looks so much better than the original terminal, it’s modern and bright it my not be as big and have as many shops but it’s a beautifully designed Airport and one that you will fall in love with the moment you land and operates many international wide body’s like Emirates 777-300ER, Singapore Airlines A330-300 and 777, Thai Airways A330-300 & 777, Qatar Airways 787-8 and even Air India 787-8 and from time to time 777 & 747’s from Delhi (Domestic)View attachment 13480

 

[Ray Finkle]

Welcome to the forum SRDey

Mumbai seems to be high up on the airports agenda and with it constantly in the top three when it comes to connections it is definitely a destination that is needed direct.

Although the opposite end of the country to Kolkata the director of Cochin Airport has said that they want flights to Birmingham (see link below), I suppose it's just a case of finding an airline willing to do it.

For 1st time, more domestic fliers than international at Cochin Airport

National News:For 1st time, more domestic fliers than international at Cochin Airport

www.thehindubusinessline.com

Loving the pictures of Kolkata

 

[SRDey]

Welcome to the forum SRDey

Mumbai seems to be high up on the airports agenda and with it constantly in the top three when it comes to connections it is definitely a destination that is needed direct.

Although the opposite end of the country to Kolkata the director of Cochin Airport has said that they want flights to Birmingham (see link below), I suppose it's just a case of finding an airline willing to do it.

For 1st time, more domestic fliers than international at Cochin Airport

National News:For 1st time, more domestic fliers than international at Cochin Airport

www.thehindubusinessline.com

Loving the pictures of Kolkata

Thank you for the warm welcome Ray

I know can’t wait and I really do hope it’s a dream come true who ever starts the route to Mumbai. It’s a destination that we really need especially as it’s one of India’s most ultra modern city and the financial hub not forgetting the most important thing about Mumbai is that it’s home of Bollywood (Hindi Films) and I love them .

Cochin would be great it’s nice to try and get and Airline that cover all the different states of India not only that it would be nice to even have a Bangalore Route from Birmingham as Bangalore is the Ultra modern up and coming city of South India and the Tech hub of India these two routes will work really well considering the recent influx of South Indians that are coming to study, live and work in Birmingham and wider West Midlands region.

My main dream will always be a direct service to Kolkata it’s a city that not many people know about and talk about but people fall in love with the moment they visit Kolkata and the state of West Bengal. Kolkata is like Birmingham it is beautiful and little is known about the city and just like Birmingham it isn’t given credit where it’s due.But once you go to Kolkata you will just love it’s to death it’s that breath taking that no words can describe a city like Kolkata at all.

As much as I love Emirates and love flying Emirates to Kolkata it’s nice to give other Airlines some love and attention and help then grow and improve.

It really would be nice to see an Airline that isn’t solely focused on Delhi or Amritsar (Punjab) India so big and diverse it’s not just about North India and Amritsar (Punjab) and many people don’t go to or are not from North India or Punjab at all each state is so different and full of many different cultures and traditions you will just fall in love the moment you land anywhere in India.

 

[JENNYJET]

I have never been to India but was a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka and despite the civil war, was a fascinating and welcoming nation even if the soldiers were a little rough at times. A route to Colombo would be a wonderful addition even if only seasonally e.g England Test Cricket tours etc.

 

[Ianbutty]

Welcome SRDey. Enjoy your time with us and thanks already for your insight into Kolkata. I firmly believe that our long haul future is India and around.

 

[SRDey]

Thank You Ian for the welcome

I totally agree I think Birmingham has one of the biggest market when it comes to India and the Asian continent which is why I believe we should looking to fly to many other city’s within India and Not just Delhi & Punjab.

 

[Vinny94]

Welcome to the forum SRDey.
You make very good points about Kolkata and other Indian cities.
As Birmingham has a high Indian population, I do hope that we will have direct flights to Mumbai soon.
I am Indian too and love to see Air India improve their network from BHX (whenever the political and financial situations improve).

 

[Ray Finkle]

I believe we should looking to fly to many other city’s within India and Not just Delhi & Punjab.

Back in 2015 representatives from Ahmedabad Airport visited the Midlands to 'discuss cargo and passenger links', as is usual nothing ever came of it.

I think the immediate goal needs to be getting Air India back up to daily, maybe even reverting back to just BHX-DEL-ATQ which seemed to be when the service was performing best.