Monday, May 20, 2024 India and the UK have updated their air service agreement, allowing airlines to add 14 weekly flights between London Heathrow, Delhi, and Mumbai, enhancing connectivity. India and the United Kingdom have enhanced their air service agreement, permitting airlines from both nations to operate an extra 14 weekly flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and the airports in Delhi and Mumbai. On May 1, representatives from India’s civil aviation ministry and the UK’s Department for Transport (DFT) formalized this agreement by signing a memorandum of understanding.
Boost for London-India Flights According to the UK’s DFT, the updated agreement elevates the weekly flight cap from 56 to 70 between London Heathrow and Delhi and Mumbai for airlines from both countries starting this winter season. The exact number and schedule of these new flights will be determined by the airlines themselves. This revision is especially beneficial for UK carriers, who had maxed out their limit of 56 flights per week.
Currently, Indian carriers like Air India and Vistara operate 38 flights weekly between London Heathrow and the airports in Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). Virgin Atlantic, anticipating the revised agreement, announced last month the launch of a second London-Mumbai service beginning at the end of October. Impact on Passenger Traffic In 2023, close to four million passengers traveled between India and the UK.
The bulk of this traffic was managed by Delhi and London Heat.
