Air India

[Ray Finkle]

I’m guessing you know them routes

Unfortunately not.

I think it's safe to say that Mumbai is a target and hopefully progress is being made there. Personally I'm not convinced there is another destination that would work as a stand alone route for AI so if there is to be a second my money would be on Ahmedabad being tagged on to Mumbai, similar to what they do/did at LHR. There is a sizable Gujarati community across the East Midlands so hopefully it would do well.

That's pure speculation by me though and a second destination (after BOM) is just a rumour so we'll see what happens.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Unfortunately not.

I think it's safe to say that Mumbai is a target and hopefully progress is being made there. Personally I'm not convinced there is another destination that would work as a stand alone route for AI so if there is to be a second my money would be on Ahmedabad being tagged on to Mumbai, similar to what they do/did at LHR. There is a sizable Gujarati community across the East Midlands so hopefully it would do well.

That's pure speculation by me though and a second destination (after BOM) is just a rumour so we'll see what happens.

I am hearing three routes too but I guess this is DEL, ATQ & BOM ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I am hearing three routes too but I guess this is DEL, ATQ & BOM ?

I'd take that

 

[A330]

We do need a daily non-stop Delhi flight, there is huge potential for point to point and scope for connections too.

I would take a further 2 weekly increase taking us back to our previous peak of eight weekly. If I recall correctly, the Saturday flight was de-linked with 2 787s arriving within an hour. A gradual increase to say 11 weekly and then an ideal opportunity to test a third destination with a tag on to DEL?

 

[RichL]

Nobody has a crystal ball but I hope there is no fallout or ‘reassessment of routes’ following the merger with Vistara and Singapore Airlines’ 25% stake purchase.

For example all of a sudden only London or captial city routes are the only profitable ones.

Tatas' Air India-Vistara merger: Can the group conquer Indian skies?

Air India and Vistara will merge to create India's second-largest domestic carrier, but there are challenges.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[HPsauce]

Hopefully no reason to panic. There is surely vast scope from the Midlands to India. We just need a few more Indian cities included. It is a vast country.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I think that if the flights weren't successful, then the cancellations during COVID would have given Air India the opportunity to pull off the routes. The fact that they have come back and there is a rumour of another destination should be seen as encouraging. Also. a YouTube video by DJ's Aviation is reporting that Air India are looking to lease in more aircraft (not necessarily to use to BHX) indicating that the owners are looking at expansion.

Kevin

 

[Nethercote2019]

Talk/rumour on Anet of ManChester getting 7 Air India flights a week soon to be announced

 

[IanFarquharson]

Talk/rumour on Anet of ManChester getting 7 Air India flights a week soon to be announced

I would be very surprised and would expect more at BHX

 

[pianokeys]

I notice that today they have announced 12 weekly flights to LGW from March and 5 additional frequencies to LHR. There was no further news. Do we think more is to come from them perhaps ?

 

[Coathanger16]

I notice that today they have announced 12 weekly flights to LGW from March and 5 additional frequencies to LHR. There was no further news. Do we think more is to come from them perhaps ?

The flights to Gatwick previously operated to Heathrow so its more a case of moving flights from one airport to another rather than anything new (additional frequencies aside).

There does seem to be more of a focus on making Delhi (and to a lesser extent Mumbai) more of a hub so hopefully we'll see some more flights.

 

[IanFarquharson]

The flights to Gatwick previously operated to Heathrow so its more a case of moving flights from one airport to another rather than anything new (additional frequencies aside).

There does seem to be more of a focus on making Delhi (and to a lesser extent Mumbai) more of a hub so hopefully we'll see some more flights.

Moving ATQ to LGW should help BHX-ATQ

More AI routes to come but maybe another new UK airport -

 

[whateverg]

I am hearing three routes too but I guess this is DEL, ATQ & BOM ?

Is this no longer on then?

 

[IanFarquharson]

Is this no longer on then?

I hope so but currently AI appear to giving priority to the South and maybe the North

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I hope so but currently AI appear to giving priority to the South and maybe the North

From what I've read elsewhere on F4A, the 4 routes at LGW are being moved there from LHR, so unless there is an increase in frequency, it does not represent an expansion in the south east.

 

[IanFarquharson]

From what I've read elsewhere on F4A, the 4 routes at LGW are being moved there from LHR, so unless there is an increase in frequency, it does not represent an expansion in the south east.

Also increasing LHR despite some going to LGW

 

[IanFarquharson]

BHX Tweeting exciting times ahead for Air India and BHX ?

 

[HPsauce]

Yes, just reading the article on Air India on the BBC business news site.
Not much fine detail, but a huge order for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
They feel they have lost ground on the global market in recent years to the likes of Emirates, Qatar etc, with Middle Eastern Airlines dominating traffic to India.
Sounds interesting, and hopefully something more for BHX??.

 

[Timberwolf]

BHX Tweeting exciting times ahead for Air India and BHX ?

May just be Air Indias press announcement today that they have now firmed up and signed for all the Airbus and Boeing orders.
Hopefully not.

 

[HPsauce]

250 Airbus aircraft ordered. 40 A350 with Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines. 210 Airbus A320/1 neos with CFM engines.
220 Boeing aircraft ordered. No details yet.

Boeing order is: 190 737 MAX, 20 B789, and 10 777X.
Further options on 50 737MAX, 20 B789.