Air India

[davecleaver777]

#rayrthetease... thank you for the positive reply mate. I feel BHX may be on the up

 

[IanFarquharson]

One too many ifs, buts or maybes to commit at the moment but when (if) the time comes the clues will come thick and fast

In the meantime I'm just waiting for the AI Friday flight to become bookable again, it's meant to be back to daily from mid Sept.

(if) is that me !

 

[Ray Finkle]

(if) is that me !

You'll never be an (if) Mr F

But I look forward to the clues

 

[thunderchild]

A new route east to India doesn't necessarily have to come from AI.

#justsayin

Firnas Airways?!?!

 

[Ianbutty]

(if) is that me !

If the 'ifs' is Ian F are the 'buts' me?

 

[hay677]

A new route east to India doesn't necessarily have to come from AI.

I'm still holding out for Azerbaijan. BHX-Baku-India

 

[Vinny94]

I'm still holding out for Azerbaijan. BHX-Baku-India

I hope they fly to BHX too, they send us their A319s from time to time.

 

[58terminus]

#justsayin

Indigo then

 

[Ray Finkle]

Indigo then

They had daily slots via Tbilisi from October but obviously nothing came of it.

ACL shows no slots for them this winter so we'll see if anything comes from them next summer.

Nick Barton and Tom Screen have been in India recently. Tom Tweeted that AI are to go back to daily from mid Sept, who knows what else was discussed

 

[RichL]

I'm just looking forward to the 777-300 - we dont get many now that Emirates sends the whales.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The chat about the potential extra Emirates flights is now HERE.

 

[hay677]

I'm just looking forward to the 777-300 - we dont get many now that Emirates sends the whales.

Interesting that Air India switched the Mumbai-LHR service to BHX regardless of the outcome of the LHR strike talks. Probably a simple operational reason, but it got me wondering how many of the passengers would have been heading from LHR to the Midlands anyway. Also by fixing BHX as the destination presumably Air India could advertise this and see how many folk were actually attracted by the Midlands destination. OK I guess I'm reading too much into it ............. or am I?

 

[SRDey]

Yes guys hopefully soon Mumbai to Birmingham be it on Air India or Vistara (once they go long hall). Then as I say let’s push for a Kolkata route next Kolkata’s international destinations list is staring to grow again I want Kolkata go back to the former glory it once used to hold and I think you guys can help make that defiantly happen for sure

 

[SRDey]

Hopefully the big man himself from Air India will be on board to announce direct flights between BHX-BOM

We are after all expecting some news from the east, isn't that right Ian ?

Birmingham time to get Bollywood ready

 

[Ray Finkle]

Then as I say let’s push for a Kolkata route next Kolkata’s international destinations list is staring to grow again I want Kolkata go back to the former glory it once used to hold

Norwegian were interested at one point, obviously not so anymore.

Norwegian Air Shuttle

indeed, but we've not hear anything about any new bases anywhere from Norwegian. The point I would get worried is when they list a number of new bases for either 2016 and 2017 and either a) BHX isn't on that list or b) other uk airports are!!

forums4airports.com

There would be a particular focus on India because of the country’s improving economy, rising population and family links to Britain.

“When the salaries come up in India you will see a huge flow of tourists or people visiting friends and relatives in the UK,” said Kjos. “You are talking about almost 1.5 billion people and you will see great flows of passengers very soon.”

The airline would initially target routes to Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta. Flights could arrive into both Gatwick and Birmingham in the future, he said.

 

[SRDey]

Norwegian were interested at one point, obviously not so anymore.

Norwegian Air Shuttle

indeed, but we've not hear anything about any new bases anywhere from Norwegian. The point I would get worried is when they list a number of new bases for either 2016 and 2017 and either a) BHX isn't on that list or b) other uk airports are!!

forums4airports.com

There would be a particular focus on India because of the country’s improving economy, rising population and family links to Britain.

“When the salaries come up in India you will see a huge flow of tourists or people visiting friends and relatives in the UK,” said Kjos. “You are talking about almost 1.5 billion people and you will see great flows of passengers very soon.”

The airline would initially target routes to Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta. Flights could arrive into both Gatwick and Birmingham in the future, he said.

NO WAY Something I never knew before it’s sad that nothing really happened but hope that Air India or Vistara will start A Birmingham to Kolkata route soon

 

[Matt995]

Pakistan to close air space for India flights again????

Pakistan to close airspace for Indian flights - reports

Move comes amid increasing tensions between neighbouring countries

www.arabianbusiness.com

Latest Kashmir Crisis Threatens Pakistani Airspace Closure | AIN

Pakistan’s airspace may close again, after reopening in July following five months of disruption.

www.ainonline.com

might stop the Amritsar flights restarting again next week?

 

[Matt995]

The direct service to Amritsar restarted yesterday (Thursday) with B788 VT-ANQ arriving around 10 minutes early!

Air India now up to six times a week again!

 

[smithy108]

Some positive PR again co-ordinated between airline and airport

Air India’s full flight schedule resumes from Birmingham Airport

Air India has resumed its six weekly direct flight schedule to Delhi and Amritsar from Birmingham Airport following reduced frequencies due to closures to Pakistan airspace after strikes by the Indian military.
Direct services are available three times weekly to Delhi and onwards to Amritsar each Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, and three times weekly to Amritsar and onwards to Delhi each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Customers have access to a further 42 onward destination across the Indian-subcontinent via the airline’s Delhi hub.
Air India first began operating from Birmingham Airport in 2013, with direct flights to Delhi. The airline expanded its Birmingham operation in 2018 with non-stop services to Amritsar, serving the Midlands’ strong demand for friends and relatives wanting direct access to the Punjab.
Over this six-year period, some 750,000 passengers have used Air India services, and with the resumption of this six weekly schedule, there are 3,000 seats available between India and Birmingham each week on the non-stop flights.
Dr Aman Puri, the Consul General of India, Birmingham, said: “The Midlands has emerged as an area of robust growth in the UK, and Birmingham is a city which is equipped with vast opportunities in both commerce and economic areas. To have direct flights operating out of Birmingham for the British-Indian community is just great and is a further step towards the UK and India collaborating to strengthen our trade and investment relationship further.”

Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, said: “With our region home to around 200,000 people of Indian heritage and India being one of the biggest investors in the West Midlands, the direct routes from Birmingham Airport to Delhi and Amritsar are absolutely crucial. These routes allow us to both continue to build the already strong business relationship whilst also serving the needs of the Indian diaspora.”
Mr Debashis Golder, regional manager, Europe and UK for Air India, said: “The resumption of flights, coincides with India’s Independence Day making today a special day for multiple reasons. Air India is committed to not only support the region’s Indian diaspora, but also the need for direct connectivity for business travel in our business class product. Not only do we serve Delhi and Amritsar direct from Birmingham, Midlanders also have access 42 onward destination across the Indian-subcontinent via our hub in Delhi, including Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.”

Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport said: “Air India provides the vital connectivity for business and leisure travellers needing direct access to two of India’s most important cultural cities. There is a strong demand in the Midlands to Delhi and Amritsar, particularly for those travelling to visit family and friends in the Punjab region which is why Air India’s Birmingham operation has grown from strength to strength. We’re therefore delighted that the full schedule has resumed today, on India Independence Day.”

 

[Deleted member 8277]

Some positive PR again co-ordinated between airline and airport

Air India’s full flight schedule resumes from Birmingham Airport

The reverse view.View attachment 14211