Birmingham delighted to get daily flight to India, largely for tourism and VFR

 Birmingham airport’s is encouraged by a decision by Air India to increase the number of flights between Birmingham, Delhi and Amritsa from 4 per week to 7 per week. This will start from November, when its 18th Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft is inducted into service. Birmingham has now had direct flights to India for one year, after having none for 5 years. Though some passengers are on business, the majority are tourists and people visiting friends and relatives in India. Having three more flights per week will mean an extra 1,500 seats a week, as the Air India Dreamliners have 256 seats (256 x 3 x 2 = 1,5360.  Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Executive, said “The West Midlands receives more foreign direct investment from India than any other region outside of London and Birmingham’s VFR (visiting friends and family) market grew by 71% in 2013, now attracting more visitors from India than any English city other than London.” The runway extension, that opened in April, is enabling more flights to longer haul destinations. The flight path trials, due to the runway extension, are causing real concern and distress to those south of the airport, now finding themselves seriously overflown.
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Birmingham Airport’s global aspirations boosted as Air India extends services

6.8.2014 (The Business Desk)
 

By Duncan Tift – Deputy Editor, West Midlands

BIRMINGHAM Airport’s aspirations to be a global hub have been boosted with a decision by Air India to boost its services from the facility.

Air India has committed to increase its Birmingham-Delhi-Amritsar operation from four flights per week to daily services from November, when its 18th Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft is inducted into service.

The decision coincides with the first anniversary of the renewal of flights by Air India between Birmingham and the sub-continent following a five year absence.

Announcing the growth plans, the airline’s Commercial Director, Pankaj Srivastava, said: “Since starting our four times weekly Dreamliner programme from Birmingham Airport last year, we have handled more than 80,000 passengers on board 210 flights, serving business passengers, tourists and people visiting friends and relatives.

“Air India is committed to develop and grow in this market and once we have taken the delivery of our 18th Dreamliner aircraft in November, we hope to launch the daily operation from Birmingham Airport.

“This will provide an extra 1,500 seats a week and give passengers greater choice, flexibility and opportunity to travel from the convenience of Birmingham Airport to Amritsar and Delhi, and onwards on Air India’s extensive global network.”

Air India’s current schedule operates from Birmingham each Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on its 256-seat B787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely thankful to Air India for recognising the demand from travellers needing the flexibility of daily services from Birmingham.

“The West Midlands receives more foreign direct investment from India than any other region outside of London and Birmingham’s VFR market grew by 71% in 2013, now attracting more visitors from India than any English city other than London.
“It’s therefore not surprising that the route has been such a success in its first year and I am certain that a daily service would make the Birmingham route even more appealing to Midlands’ travellers.”

 

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/652779-birmingham-airport-s-global-aspirations-boosted-as-air-india-extends-services.html?news_section=19036

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More recent news about  Birmingham airport, and the flight path trials – as well as the airport’s aspirations, see