Travel between Asia and Europe usually means a layover or at least a flight connection; sometimes two if Australia or New Zealand are on the itinerary.
Cities such as Bangkok (Thailand), Doha (Qatar), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Istanbul (Turkiye), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore, all of which host some of the world’s busiest airports, have long been among the go-to transit hubs for passengers.
Air India is aiming to add Delhi and Mumbai to the list as part of its new “Via India” marketing drive and “long-term vision” of India becoming a “global transit hub”.
“India’s geographical advantage and impressive airport infrastructure, combined with Air India’s robust route network, offer convenient one-stop access for travellers from the West to East and vice-versa,” says Nipun Aggarwal, the airline’s chief commercial officer, talking up the carrier’s hopes to see the cities added to the list of layovers for intercontinental travellers.
“Air India has optimised its international network to offer faster connections to travellers from Britain and rest of Europe to Australia, and South-East Asia via India and vice versa, reducing connection times to around 2.5 hours,” the carrier said recently.
The announcement followed India and China agreeing to reopen aviation five years after the two giant nations nearly went to war, a relaxation that will see around three billion people regain air travel access to each other’s countries. Air India also recently announced expanded codeshares with Lufthansa Group and All Nippon Airways or ANA.
In February 2023, Air India made headlines with a world record combined order of 470 passenger jets from Airbus and Boeing, with deals lauded not only by the Indian government but by former US president Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. – dpa
