Air India has launched its first-ever flights from Gatwick and increased services from Heathrow to Delhi and Mumbai as it targets UK expansion.
The former state-owned carrier – Air India was taken over by the Tata Group in January 2022 – plans a rapid turnaround under new chief executive Campbell Wilson following years of minimal investment.
The carrier has switched its UK services to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kochi and Goa from Heathrow to Gatwick from this week, operating three times a week to each.
Gatwick flights to Ahmedabad and Amritsar launched on Sunday; Kochi services from today (Monday) and flights to Goa on Tuesday.
All the services are operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
At the same time, Air India has used its freed-up slots at Heathrow to add five additional weekly frequencies to Delhi and Mumbai from Sunday (March 26).
Services to Delhi have increased from 14 to 17 a week and to Mumbai from 12 to 14 a week.
Wilson said: “We have plans to restore Air India to its rightful place as one of the world’s foremost carriers.”
The carrier’s expansion in the UK alone is set to create almost 500 jobs.
Air India’s new owner has pledged substantial investment, with Wilson placing firm orders for 470 Airbus and Boeing aircraft last year, including 40 airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777s.
The first six A350s are due for delivery by the end of this year.
In addition, the carrier has leased an additional 36 aircraft and committed more than $400 million to refurbish its long-haul fleet.
Wilson argued: “Our substantial investment in customer service, new aircraft and brand will enable us to gain market share from the UK to India, as well as drive more business and leisure travellers to visit India.”
He told Travel Weekly: “There is a hunger for change and to bring the airline back to its former glory.”
Air India also operates from Birmingham, flying to Amritsar and Delhi three times a week each.
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