Birmingham Airport and Air India have announced that from 1st August 2013, flights between Birmingham Airport and Delhi will operate four times weekly, using the new Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft.
Flights will operate each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving from Delhi into Birmingham at 1900 and departing to Delhi from Birmingham at 2130.
The 256 seat B787-8 series aircraft has a split cabin, consisting of 18 business class and 238 economy seats. Birmingham is only the second UK airport to operate dedicated Boeing 787 scheduled services.
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.”
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham has a proud reputation as a diverse city, with residents from the wider Indian subcontinent the fastest growing group, according to the 2011 census. It makes a great deal of sense for there to be a direct flight between Delhi and Birmingham, rather than just London, and so I am delighted that Air India will be operating flights to India from Birmingham from 1 August. I am sure the service will also be welcomed by the Midlands’ business and leisure community.”
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.
Neil Rami, CEO of Marketing Birmingham, commented: “This really is a major step forward for us. The city has a strong track record in attracting Indian investment – due to its close links to other European locations and strengths in sectors such as manufacturing and logistics – which has supported some 24,000 local jobs in the past decade. Air India’s commitment to a direct route to Delhi is a significant development in securing and growing further Indian investment and tourism into Birmingham.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner which entered into commercial service in October last year. Boeing states that it is the company’s most fuel-efficient airliner and the world’s first major airliner to use composite materials as the primary material in the construction of its airframe. The 787 has been designed to be 20% more fuel efficient than the 767 it is to replace.
Tickets are on sale via www.airindia.com.
