LONDON- British Airways (BA) is set to reintroduce its First Class service on the Mumbai (BOM) to London Heathrow (LHR) route starting October 27, making a return of luxury offerings in this sector after almost five years.
The airline currently operates 56 weekly flights to five significant Indian cities and is aiming to enhance both its operational frequency and route options, coinciding with a rise in cargo transport under the proposed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
British Airways (BA), with a legacy in India lasting over a century, is intensifying its focus on the country in response to the increasing demand for air travel.
As noted by the airline’s Chairman and CEO, Sean Doyle, India has emerged as BA’s largest market outside of the United States.
The carrier is now running 56 weekly flights from India, a rise from 46 prior to the pandemic, indicating a 25% increase in capacity.
The existing network includes double daily flights from Delhi (DEL), three flights per week from Mumbai (BOM), and daily services from Chennai (MAA), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD).
With the addition of the First Class service to the Mumbai to London Heathrow (LHR) route, travelers will enjoy full cabin offerings aboard the Boeing 787-9, including First, Business (Club World), Premium Economy, and Economy.
British Airways envisions India as a strategic market for the long term, driven by a growing middle class and robust economic development.
Doyle highlighted the situation as a “once-in-a-generation growth opportunity,” noting India’s significance in British Airways’ global operations, with more than 2,500 employees in the country.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement
As negotiations for the India-UK FTA advance, British Airways is positioning its strategy to leverage enhanced cargo flows.
Doyle is optimistic that the agreement will unlock new avenues for outbound Indian cargo and specialized imports from the UK and adjacent regions served by BA.
According to a report by The Business Line, the airline expects substantial growth in freight volumes once the FTA is in effect, particularly in pharmaceuticals, perishables, and high-value manufacturing goods.
These expectations align with India’s expanding export capacity and the demand for time-sensitive logistics solutions.
Fleet Upgrades
The airline is in the process of upgrading its long-haul fleet with more wide-body aircraft, notably the Boeing 787-9, which will now feature First Class on selected routes to India.
This strategy meets the rising demand for premium leisure travel following the pandemic, a segment that continues to grow, particularly on routes between India and the UK.
Doyle mentioned that while cities like Delhi and Mumbai exhibit more direct traffic, routes such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad primarily cater to connecting passengers, especially towards the United States.
The airline intends to enhance its one-stop connectivity between India and international destinations via London, providing Indian travelers with a comprehensive global network.
Strategic Vision
British Airways’ renewed focus on the Indian market signifies a broader ambition to capture long-term aviation growth within South Asia.
This winter, the airline plans to increase its service from Delhi (DEL) to three daily operations, reinforcing its status as a key European airline serving India.
Despite existing geopolitical and tariff challenges, Doyle affirmed British Airways’ support for liberalized trade and open skies, seeing India as crucial for its international growth going forward.
With a balanced focus on both passenger and cargo services, British Airways is well-positioned to capitalize on the economic and aviation growth between India and the UK.
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Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/02/british-airways-to-expand-india-flight-operations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=british-airways-to-expand-india-flight-operations
