Flights from Birmingham to India are to return – five years after they stopped – in a major boost to the city’s airport.
Birmingham Airport and Air India have struck a deal that will see flights to Delhi take place four times a week from August 1.
Using the new Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft, Flights will operate each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving from Delhi into Birmingham at 7pm and departing to Delhi from Birmingham at 9.30pm.
Martyn Lloyd, commercial director of Birmingham Airport, explained, “This is fantastic news for our region and we’re delighted that Air India has recognised the strong demand that lies in our catchment and will be operating the new Dreamliner aircraft on the route.
“There’s been significant support from the city, and indeed the region, for a direct service to India and we’re pleased to see that direct flights are now available on a brand new aircraft which will give passengers a fantastic experience. We also thank everyone involved who has worked tirelessly to make this happen, particularly our Brand Ambassador for Asian Markets, Uday Dholakia.”
Air India previously operated flights from the airport until they were stopped in 2008.
According to FDI Markets, the West Midlands receives more foreign direct investment from India than any other region outside London. Globally, the UK is the third largest recipient of Indian investment, behind only the UAE and the USA.
