Air India Introduces New Flights from Delhi to Gatwick
Air India Set to Launch New Flights from Delhi to London Gatwick in Summer 2025
Air India, the flagship carrier owned by the Tata Group, is poised to expand its international network with the anticipated launch of new flights from Delhi International Airport (DEL) to London Gatwick (LGW) in summer 2025. Although details are still under wraps, this potential route represents a significant step in enhancing Air India’s connectivity to the UK.
According to the Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), the slot coordinator, Air India has requested 410 slots for its new DEL-LGW service. Currently, the airline operates flights from India to London Gatwick and is eager to strengthen its presence in this key market.
Air India’s Current Operations from Delhi to London
At present, Air India operates three daily flights between Delhi and London Heathrow (LHR) using its cutting-edge Airbus A350-900 aircraft and Vistara’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The flights are as follows:
- AI 161 (A350)
- AI 111 (A350)
- AI 2017 (787-9)
Previously, Air India utilized the Boeing 787-8 aircraft for two daily flights to Heathrow. For the upcoming summer season, the airline plans to significantly increase its capacity, projecting to deploy 603,000 seats, up from 572,760 seats in the summer of 2024.
Details on Upcoming Flights to London Gatwick
As Air India prepares to introduce its new service to London Gatwick, the airline has maintained 1,020 slots for the summer of 2024 and deployed 261,120 seats. For summer 2025, the airline has requested an additional 240 slots and received 180, which will allow it to deploy 307,200 seats—an increase of over 46,000 seats.
The airline is likely to utilize its Boeing 787-8 aircraft for this route, which features 256 seats, including 18 in Business Class and 238 in Economy Class.
Market Position and Future Plans
Air India holds a dominant position in the market with a share exceeding 30% on Europe-India flights, including Vistara’s contributions. Competitors like Lufthansa (LH) and British Airways (BA) follow closely behind. Additionally, Air India is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights between Kochi (COK) and Dublin (DUB), though this route has not yet been confirmed for summer 2025.
Conclusion
As Air India gears up for its exciting new Delhi to London Gatwick flights, travelers can expect greater connectivity and increased capacity in the years to come. Stay tuned for updates on flight schedules and further developments regarding this new route.
For more information about Air India’s international services, feel free to check our related articles, or share your thoughts on this upcoming flight service in the comments below!
External Links for Further Reading
This article aims to keep you informed about the latest developments in international air travel and Air India’s expanding network.
