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Air India is set to introduce its wide-body A350-900 aircraft on the Delhi-London route starting September 1, marking the plane's debut on an international long-haul route. The airline aims to expand its domestic and international presence with this move. Two daily flights will be operated on this route, replacing the Boeing 777-300 ER and Boeing 777-300 ER Dreamliner on 14 of the 17 weekly flights. According to the airline's release, this change will provide an additional 336 seats per week on the Delhi-London Heathrow route.
Air India's A350-900 Aircraft and Expansion Plans
The Tata Group-owned airline has ordered around 40 A350 planes, with six already in service. Air India began adding these aircraft to its fleet this year, using them for both domestic and international flights. The A350-900 was first used for international destination flights between Delhi and Dubai from May 1. The airline currently operates 31 weekly flights to London Heathrow, including 14 from Mumbai and 17 from Delhi.
Air India also offers a total of 17 weekly flights to London Gatwick from Goa, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Bengaluru. Additionally, six weekly flights are operated from Delhi and Amritsar to Birmingham. The A350-900 aircraft will feature premium economy-class seats on the Delhi-London route, with plans to operate two daily flights using the same aircraft from September 1.
Statements from Air India CEO
Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said, "The deployment of our flagship A350s planes and the B777s with upgraded cabin interiors for London Heathrow is a major milestone for Air India." This development comes as Shankh Air considers Noida International Airport as its main hub, with its chairman meeting Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.
In other news, Hisar Airport is set to be developed as an integrated aviation hub after receiving approval for a grant from a US trade body. Furthermore, the Centre has sanctioned a 1,700-personnel CISF contingent for safety at Noida International Airport. Lastly, IndiGo has been fined Rs 1 lakh for alleged visa violations but assures smooth operations moving forward.
