British Airways readies big new India plan, eyes more routes & flights to cash in on FTA-driven biz boom
British Airways
, which has a century-long history of operating flights to India, is planning to expand its routes and increase flight frequencies, PTI reported on June 1. Additionally, the airline aims to capitalise on cargo opportunities arising from the India-UK free trade agreement, the news agency said quoting Sean Doyle, the Chairman and CEO of the airline.
At present, British Airways runs 56 weekly flights from five cities in India, which include three flights per week from Mumbai and double daily services from Delhi. The airline also operates daily flights from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
In an exclusive interview with PTI, Doyle emphasised the significance of India as a "very, very important" market for British Airways and expressed intentions for future expansion in terms of routes and flight frequencies. Starting in October, the airline plans to reinstate first-class seating on one of its flights from Mumbai to London Heathrow, marking the return of this service after nearly five years.
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"We aspire to be part of India's aviation growth. For a century, we have been involved... approximately 2,500 individuals are employed by British Airways in India... outside of the United States, India represents our largest single market," he remarked, noting that the airline's capacity to India has risen by around 25 percent compared to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doyle, who is attending the annual general meeting of the global airline association IATA in New Delhi, also mentioned that he anticipates a rapid recovery in travel demand in India over the next decade, especially with a burgeoning middle class eager to travel.
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"The growth potential is immensely exciting, and it represents a unique opportunity that you won't see elsewhere. What is unfolding in India is a once-in-a-generation chance," he stated.
The airline is optimistic about cargo prospects between India and the UK, particularly due to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expects an increase in cargo transport.
"I foresee an uptick in cargo exports from India under the FTA. Additionally, I expect an increase in specific niche exports coming into India, not solely from the UK but also from nearby markets that we operate in," he added.
Regarding tariff uncertainties, Doyle mentioned that many are closely monitoring the situation and its ramifications. "I've been highlighting the benefits of a free trade agreement between the UK and India, and we obviously pay close attention to anything that may counteract that. We have enjoyed a liberally opened trade environment for the past 40 years," he explained.
British Airways has ramped up its weekly flights from India to 56, up from 46 prior to the pandemic. "Since the end of the pandemic, we have been consistently expanding, and in fact, we currently operate at a larger scale than we did before the pandemic, which is unusual since many markets have not fully recovered yet. However, India is a notable exception, as we are now running three daily flights from Mumbai and will introduce a third daily service from Delhi this winter," Doyle said.
Moreover, the airline's fleet upgrade with additional wide-body aircraft will significantly bolster its long-haul operations, providing opportunities in strategic markets such as India. Doyle emphasized that British Airways strives to deliver value for money across all service segments.
He also pointed out a rise in premium leisure travel since the pandemic, which is expected to persist. Beginning October 27, British Airways will reintroduce first-class seats on its Boeing 787-9 fleet servicing the Mumbai-London Heathrow route, while also offering business, premium economy, and economy class options.
When asked about the airline's connecting and O&D (Origin & Destination) traffic from India, the British Airways chief indicated that in established markets like Delhi and Mumbai, the majority of traffic is O&D, originating and concluding in the UK.
"In contrast, cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad still rely heavily on connecting traffic to the United States. As we introduce more services to India and increase our offerings to the United States, we will provide travelers with a more comprehensive one-stop solution to reach destinations that no other carrier can match," Doyle said.
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