Fulfilling the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his last visit to London, the national carrier Air India today commenced the first ever direct flight from Ahmedabad to London.
Flight AI 131, a B-787 Dreamliner aircraft, took off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport with 247 passengers at 0430 hours. With the commencement of this flight, Air India became the first airline to offer direct flights between Ahmedabad and London.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Chhajer, Vice-President, Cox & Kings Ltd, said, “This is a great initiative by Air India. There will be tremendous growth in passenger traffic from this flight.”
The flight will not only be beneficial for leisure travellers, but many corporates would also benefit from the direct flight from Ahmedabad.
“This flight has given great connectivity to corporate travellers and we wish Air India the best,” said Suresh B V, Executive Vice-President - Directors' Office, Cadila Pharmaceuticals.
This flight will be Air India’s fifth frequency to London. The airline already operates four frequencies to London – three from Delhi and one from Mumbai. The daily flight is likely to benefit the 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora living in Britain. The passengers travelling by the direct flight will not need to change their aircraft at Mumbai as has been the case so far.