Air India to Resume London Gatwick Flights but Misses New Popular Routes

dailyblitz.de 4 hours ago

MUMBAI— Tata Group-owned Indian Full-Service Carrier (FSC), Air India (AI), will resume operations from London Gatwick during the Winter 2025–26 schedule, with flights to Amritsar (ATQ) and Ahmedabad (AMD). However, the carrier has closed bookings for Goa (GOI), indicating the route will not return in this phase, Ravreet Singh, Aviation Analyst and Blogger, reported.

The decision brings attention to Air India’s broader Gatwick strategy as it balances limited widebody capacity with the need to maximize network profitability. While Amritsar and Ahmedabad serve strong visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) markets, questions remain on whether these routes deliver enough value to the airline’s long-term commercial goals.

Air India Gatwick Strategy

Both Amritsar and Ahmedabad are high-volume markets connecting diaspora communities in the UK with northern and western India. These routes have a consistent base of traffic, but they are typically low-yield and heavily point-to-point in nature.

For Air India, keeping a foothold on these services helps retain brand visibility, yet it risks tying down valuable aircraft that could generate better returns elsewhere.

The suspension of Goa illustrates this challenge. While the leisure market holds potential, its seasonality and price-sensitive profile make it less attractive compared to other international opportunities.

Ravreet highlights that Air India’s current fleet deployment needs sharper alignment with markets that provide higher yields, stronger connectivity, and competitive positioning.

New Potential Routes

Opportunity in the UK Market: Delhi–Manchester

One of the most compelling alternatives is the launch of non-stop services between Delhi (DEL) and Manchester (MAN). Mr. Singh’s Sources indicate that IndiGo (6E) is preparing to enter this market by November 2025 with three weekly Boeing 787-9 flights.

For Air India, moving first into the DEL–MAN corridor would provide several advantages. Beyond tapping into the strong point-to-point demand between northern India and the UK’s second-largest metropolitan area, the carrier could leverage its extensive Southeast Asia network.

Transit traffic routed through Delhi would help improve yields, making the route more profitable than the Gatwick flights.

Tapping into Leisure Growth: Mumbai–Bali

Another untapped market is Mumbai (BOM) to Denpasar, Bali (DPS). In 2024, the route recorded more than 145,000 passengers, yet remains unserved by non-stop flights. This is a leisure-heavy but premium-friendly market that has strong potential for Air India.

IndiGo reportedly intends to begin BOM–DPS services in January 2026 using the 787-9, later transitioning to the A321XLR.

If Air India acts sooner, it could establish a strong foothold, capture first-mover benefits, and strengthen its appeal among both leisure travelers and premium customers.

Why Adaptability Matters?

Air India’s investment in Gatwick has not been insignificant. The decision to scale back might seem like a step backward, but it offers the airline flexibility to re-enter the market on stronger terms in the future.

What matters most now is aligning resources with higher-yield opportunities that boost profitability and strengthen the overall network.

A strategy centered on agility—seizing routes like DEL–MAN and BOM–DPS before competitors—would allow Air India to safeguard market share, diversify its portfolio, and enhance long-term competitiveness.

The Gatwick market could still hold value down the line, but for now, shifting focus may prove the smarter move.

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Air India Group Non-Metro Flight Routes Analysis 2025

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