London Calling: British Airways To Launch Direct Kolkata-London Flights On Biweekly Schedule

New Delhi: British Airways is likely to announce the resumption of its direct flights between London and Kolkata after a hiatus of several years. The airline is planning to operate a biweekly schedule, offering direct flights from London Heathrow to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

According to the airline sources, the flight services is likely to be operational in coming few weeks, which will provide much-needed connectivity between the two cities and boost bilateral trade and tourism between India and the UK.

Kolkata-London Direct Flight

The biweekly schedule will be initially launched to gauge passenger demand, with potential for further frequency increases depending on market response. British Airways will be using its modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft for the Kolkata-London route.

The direct flight service will significantly reduce travel time for passengers. A one-stop journey from Kolkata to London typically takes between 12 to 15 hours, depending on the layover. 

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The direct flight will cut this time down to about 8 hours, offering a faster and more comfortable travel experience.

More Than 2 Lac Passengers to Benefit

According to reports, around 200,000 passengers will be able to travel more conveniently between the two cities every year once the biweekly service is fully operational.

British Airways is one of the leading international carriers operating in India, with daily direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. In 2023, the number of passengers traveling between India and the UK surpassed 5 million, with London being a primary destination.

History of British Airways in Kolkata

Direct flights between Kolkata and London have a long history, dating back to the days of British colonial rule. However, the route has faced multiple interruptions over the years due to changes in airline strategies and market conditions.

British Airways, which had operated flights to Kolkata for nearly 80 years, ceased services in March 2009. Air India briefly filled the gap with a direct London-Kolkata flight in 2005, but discontinued it in 2008 due to low demand. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kolkata-London flight had a fluctuating schedule, initially operating twice a week from September 2020 before being reduced to once a week by October. The service was eventually withdrawn on March 21, 2022.