British Airways Plans Expansion in India's Growing Aviation Market

New Delhi: British Airways is poised to enhance its operations in India, recognising the substantial potential within the country's aviation sector. A senior executive from the airline has indicated that this expansion is driven by increasing travel demand and the opportunity to generate further employment in the region.

Having operated in India for over a century, British Airways currently offers 56 weekly flights connecting various Indian cities to London. The airline provides three flights daily from Mumbai, two from Delhi, and one each from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Plans are underway to introduce a third daily flight from Delhi to London next year, contingent on obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

"We are consistently exploring ways to enhance our services as demand increases. Our network schedule is under continuous review to ensure we offer connectivity and options that meet customer needs," stated British Airways Chief Operating Officer Rene de Groot in an interview with the Press Trust of India.

India ranks as the second-largest market for British Airways, following the United States. The airline maintains dedicated crew bases in each of the five Indian cities it operates from.

De Groot emphasised the importance of local staff in delivering a personalised service, stating, "In India, we continue to create employment opportunities and support regional economies, all while promoting the best of Britain."

British Airways operates a customer service centre, CallBA, located in Gurugram, Haryana, employing around 2,000 staff who provide 24/7 support to customers across the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

"We have invested significantly in India and have steadily increased our workforce here, with CallBA and our five Indian cabin crew bases expanding over time," De Groot remarked.

The airline has a codeshare arrangement with IndiGo and, through a collaboration with Qatar Airways, operates services to 13 destinations in India, comprising a total of 148 weekly flights. Passengers can benefit from direct flights from London with British Airways, as well as connections via Doha with Qatar Airways.

Earlier this year, the airline introduced a Meet and Assist service for travellers requiring additional support while journeying from India to the United Kingdom.

De Groot noted the rapid expansion of Indian carriers such as IndiGo and Air India as a positive indication for the aviation landscape. He stated, "We view the dynamic growth of Indian carriers as a beneficial development for the aviation sector and for India's rise as a global aviation hub."

The UK remains a sought-after destination for Indian travellers, especially for tourism and education, supported by the Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK. Approximately 500,000 Indians travel to the UK annually, with the Indian diaspora playing a crucial role in sustaining travel demand.