Low-cost carrier SpiceJet on Monday announced non-stop flights to London from Mumbai and Delhi with effect from December 4, making it the first long-haul destination for the airline. This would also be the first Indian budget airline to fly to the UK
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The announcement makes SpiceJet the second Indian airline to start operations on the India-UK route after Vistara during the pandemic. Both airlines decided to launch London operations following the bilateral agreement between India and the UK which allows airlines of the two countries to operate a limited number of non-stop flights, eliminating competition from many other international carriers that operate flights via their hubs such as in the Middle East.
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The airline will operate thrice-a-week to London, which will include twice-a-week flights from Delhi and once-a-week from Mumbai.
SpiceJet will use an Airbus A330-900 Neo aircraft for these flights. The 371-seater twin-aisle A330 has a configuration of 353 economy and 18 business class seats. The aircraft is wetleased by the airline. The low-cost airline will offer business and economy class seats on these flights.
SpiceJet had earlier in August secured slots at London’s Heathrow Airport to operate flights from 1 September, about a fortnight after it was designated as an Indian scheduled carrier to the UK.
Speaking at a virtual press conference to announce SpiceJet’s plans to fly to the United Kingdom, the airline’s promoter Ajay Singh said while London is the first long-haul destination for SpiceJet, the airline will announce more such long-haul destinations in the future.
SpiceJet’s flights to London will be operated under the India-UK air bubble agreement. Air bubbles or travel corridors allow designated airlines of two nations to fly passengers either way without any restriction. India currently has air bubble arrangements with several countries, including the US, UK, UAE, Maldives, France, Germany, Canada, Qatar, Bahrain, Nigeria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Japan. However, operating under an air bubble agreement with the UK, during the COVID-19 pandemic means that only specific categories of passengers such as Non-Residential Indians (NRIs) and long-term UK visa holders will be able to board the flights.
At present, Indian airlines, which include the national carrier Air India Limited and Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, operate multiple weekly flights between India and the UK. British airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic similarly operate flights between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Singh said travel demands gradually improving amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has adversely affected the aviation sector.
“It is tough to say if the worst is behind us. However, I can see confidence returning, and people are understanding it’s safe to fly,” Singh said.
“Once some quarantine restrictions are lifted, I think people will travel to London,” he added.
