VIRGIN ATLANTIC has announced that it will launch new flights to Mumbai, India on October 28, 2012 from London’s Heathrow Airport. The daily flight will offer easy connections to cities in the US including New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington as part of Virgin Atlantic’s strategy to build a connecting network at London Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic’s newest A330 aircraft offering the best in the airline’s new product and service will be deployed and the investment will create 100 jobs in India and the UK.
Since 2009, the number of people who have flown between Heathrow and Mumbai has grown by nine per cent to more than one million passengers, making it Heathrow’s 12th busiest long-haul route. The new Mumbai service is being launched on the back of another Indian success story with the Virgin Atlantic New Delhi to London and New York service enjoying 20 per cent growth in passenger numbers in 2011, which celebrates 12 years of flying this summer.
Steve Ridgway, chief executive, Virgin Atlantic Airways said, “Virgin Atlantic is proud to be flying to Mumbai again, linking this wonderful city to our key destinations of London, New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago. India’s phenomenal growth continues to drive travel to the UK and the US and we know our passengers are going to love the connections the new flight offers.
“We are passionate about providing a unique service to customers and our new Airbus 330-300 will feature our brand new Upper Class Dreamsuite. We’ll continue to offer Indian entertainment and delicacies on board served by local Indian crew. Importantly the plane is also our most fuel efficient aircraft, delivering Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to flying a lower carbon fleet.”
Rajeev Jain, chief executive officer, Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Limited (GVK) said, “This is positive news for passengers, Mumbai Airport and the economy. We look forward to Virgin Atlantic restarting operations to India’s commercial capital, especially with their brand new, fuel-efficient A330-300 aircraft. London is a key international destination and the additional connectivity onwards to the USA will bring greater choice to both business & leisure travellers.”
The A330-300 aircraft will be configured in the airline’s three classes: Upper Class with 33 seats, Premium Economy with 48 seats and Economy with 185 seats.