Air India begins Ahmedabad-London flight via Mumbai

"We are in talks with the state government to connect various cities of Gujarat with worldwide destinations via Delhi and Mumbai which are our hubs", said Anil Mehta, executive director, Air India.

The flight will not only be beneficial for leisure travellers, but many corporates would also benefit from the direct flight from Ahmedabad.

Gujarat Civil Aviation Minister Saurabh Patel along with Law Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja, who handles the NRI department, greeted the passengers of the inaugural flight at the airport by handing over them boarding passes, it said. During his visit to London last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that soon there would be a direct flight between Ahmedabad and London. He said the Ahmedabad airport is one of the busiest airports of India with operation of 70 flights daily including 10 worldwide flight. Initially, flights will stop in Mumbai in both directions, but there will be no need for passengers to change aircraft.

"As a national carrier, Air India has always endeavoured to meet service requirements to enhance passenger satisfaction and once again Air India has shown its solidarity with its dedicated passenger base", Air India said in a statement. From here it will leave for London at 0705 hours and arrive there at 1130 hours.

The return flight, AI130, will then leave the United Kingdom capital at 1330 and arrive in Mumbai at 0400 the next morning. According to reports, a B-787 Dreamliner aircraft will play on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai-London-Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.

This flight will be Air India's fifth frequency to London. The AI now operates 3 flights on Delhi-London and one flight on the Mumbai-London route.