Air India is attempting to maintain its London operations, which heavily rely on the Boeing 787 aircraft. However, numerous changes are on the horizon, particularly following the fatal incident involving an Air India 787-8 operating between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick.
Air India Operations at London so far
Air India currently operates to London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with Gatwick being used to serve the non-metro cities of India.
- 17x Weekly between Delhi and London Heathrow using a mix of Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft
- 8x Weekly between Mumbai and London Heathrow using the Boeing 777-300ER
- 6x Weekly between Bengaluru and London Heathrow using the Boeing 787-8
- 4x Weekly between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick using the Boeing 787-8
The schedule takes into account reductions following the cut in Air India’s capacity, which is caused by reduced aircraft availability and other factors. The cutbacks included the total removal of flights to London Gatwick from the following airports:
- Ahmedabad: Operations to LGW were scaled down to 4X weekly
- Amritsar: Operations to LGW included 4X weekly, which have been fully withdrawn for now
- Goa Mopa: Operations to LGW included 3X weekly, which have been fully withdrawn for now
- Kochi: Operations were withdrawn before the cutback itself
Now, Air India is further reducing its services, which will result in temporarily discontinuing services to and from Gatwick. The airline will only operate flights into London Heathrow for the remainder of its Northern Summer schedule, which will continue until October 25, 2025. It will also increase the flights between Delhi and London Heathrow again.
Starting August 2025, Air India will operate as follows to London.
- 24x Weekly between Delhi and London Heathrow using a mix of Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft
- 8x Weekly between Mumbai and London Heathrow using the Boeing 777-300ER
- 4x Weekly between Bengaluru and London Heathrow using the Boeing 787-8
- 3x Weekly between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow using the Boeing 787-8
The following will be the schedule of operations between Bengaluru and London Heathrow.
AI133 BLR1345 – 2020LHR 788 135
AI132 LHR2210 – 1300+1BLR 788 137
And the following will be the schedule of operations between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow
AI135 AMD1435 – 2020LHR 788 246
AI134 LHR2150 – 1140+1AMD 788 2
AI134 LHR2210 – 1200+1AMD 788 46
Why consolidate?
Air India has been affected by a range of factors. Travel demand internationally reduced after the Indian strikes into Pakistan, and the subsequent closure of Pakistani Airspace to Indian aeroplanes. This led IndiGo to relocate the launch of its European flights from Delhi to Mumbai. It would have also seen a reduction in appetite after the AI171 incident, resulting in a decrease in flights. Air India will also have one 787-8 fly away in July 2025 for the start of the nose-tail refurbishment.
With Air India having decided to extend the cutbacks for the time being, the airline would see no sense in maintaining a crew (and hence staff) at two airports, which would also have played into the mix of factors.
Last but not least, with LHR, slot compliance is stringent; hence, Air India would do well to keep its slots there fully occupied.
Bottomline
Air India is consolidating its operations at London, operating only at London Heathrow for the time being. The airline will operate flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to London Heathrow, and leave London Gatwick for the time being. The move to LHR will take effect in August 2025.
What do you think of Air India’s consolidation at London Heathrow?
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