Birmingham: Air India Flights, New Routes & Schedule Updates

[Ray Finkle]

In 2005 I think BOM appeared on departure boards as it was the alternate airport when DEL was fog-bound,as it very often is at certain times of the year.
I could be wrong so if anyone can confirm any of the above feel free to do so.

I don't know for certain but that sounds about right.

 

[Hassaan]

If memory serves correctly the only time BOM has ever been served from BHX on a scheduled basis was way back in the early 80s,when AI used B707s.Also Moscow was a stop off point at this time as well.I think the routing was ATQ-BOM-Moscow-BHX.(not sure of the 3 letter code for Moscow).

3-letter code for Moscow is MOS. :crazy:

It's DME (Domodedovo Airport - the busiest in Russia). I can't say I ever saw the 707 at BHX because I wasn't born at the time! But yeah, the runway was pretty short around then and was only extended to its 2600m length in the 70s/80s by the look of things, so I see why they went via Moscow.

In 2005 I think BOM appeared on departure boards as it was the alternate airport when DEL was fog-bound,as it very often is at certain times of the year.
I could be wrong so if anyone can confirm any of the above feel free to do so.
There is demand for BOM from BHX but a 2/3 times a week schedule could work but not sure of other Indian cities.

I can't confirm but that makes sense. Thanks for that. 😉

I do think a BOM service could work. Does the airline think so? We'll see.

 

[CL44]

I remember the AI service via Moscow. If memory serves me right the 707 was a little bit run down (to be polite). I would not liked to have in charge of the Minimum Equipment List on that service!

 

[Brummiegem]

I remember the AI service via Moscow. If memory serves me right the 707 was a little bit run down (to be polite). I would not liked to have in charge of the Minimum Equipment List on that service!

Yes the B707s were the Rolls Royce Conway powered B707-437 series.They were regularly going tech.
You could possibly forgive AI as they had these aircraft from new unlike the 3 leased 777s they got from United Airlines.Knackered is probably an understatement.
Into the present and guess what,the 787s have had problems as well.Could it be that AI have been a tad unlucky with their aircraft over the years?
On a positive note great to see their service doing well and hopefully it will continue to do so :good:

 

[Brum X]

This is interesting and would confirm Air India commitment to BHX.

Air India is to be admitted to Star in Jul-2014

.............

In such a scenario it is possible to see Air India withdraw from North America entirely, and instead serve this region in conjunction with its Star partners. Its non-stop European network would also likely be limited to a few key destinations such as London, Birmingham and Paris, with most other point served via Star hubs. This would require a restructuring of its fleet to better align with the commercial realities of the market and its role as a regional arm. The recent sale of five of its eight 777-200LRs is a step in the right direction, but even the carrier's 12 777-300ERs are too large for its long haul operations. Over time Air India may be best to transition to an all-787 (both -8 and -9 variants) long haul fleet.

 

[Hassaan]

I'm surprised they're considering to withdraw from the US entirely. But, it's nice to see BHX is up there as part of their priorities.

 

[User0001]

This is interesting and would confirm Air India commitment to BHX.

I'm surprised they're considering to withdraw from the US entirely. But, it's nice to see BHX is up there as part of their priorities

Its worth pointing out that had the original article been posted, this is a report from an analysis firm, not Air India itself. Therefore the views expressed in the article are not those of Air India.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I was just about to post the same, it's an analysis of a potential direction that Air India could possibly take when they are fully integrated into the Star Alliance. It's a lengthy article but well worth a read, click the link below.


http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/a ... ric-166196

 

[Hassaan]

I think there's more chance of Air India becoming daily soon, though. At some point this year.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I think we have to remind ourselves that the route is less than 12 months old. It has done exceptionally well so far and from what I hear forward bookings are very healthy indeed, but, I'd imagine Air India started the route with a strategy of how they will grow over time, if they didn't expect it to do so well so quickly then they may not be in a position to expand just yet even if they wanted to.

It would be nice to hear something this year though.

 

[Hassaan]

It would be nice to see a variety of aircraft types at BHX from Air India, rather than just the 787.

 

[thunderchild]

Why? The 787 is the perfect fit for the route and the 777s would offer way to much premium capacity!

 

[Ray Finkle]

I agree. I think we'll only see a 777 if they decide to extend the route on to YYZ, personally I'd prefer a daily 787.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Just watching AIC113 on FR24 and it took a very northern track again, as discussed previously, entering the UK over Cleethorpes then bearing left over Worksop and Chesterfield and looping around to land on RWY33. In contrast PIA791 is currently over the Channel heading towards Southend.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It appears Air Canada are considering direct services from YYZ to DEL and BOM this year, I wonder if this will stop any ideas Air India may have about extending the BHX route to Canada (that's if they are even considering it as it was BHX who said they hoped it would happen) or whether there may be a code share on the cards once AI join the Star Alliance.

Air Canada eyes daily flight to India

 

[thunderchild]

To be honest if Air India do have plans for Canada I'd imagine it would be direct now they have the 787s. Like you say a daily flight would be better for BHX with perhaps Mumbai added.

 

[Brum X]

Star Aliiance

Star Alliance is pleased to announce that Air India will join as our 27th member airline from 11th July Delhi time.
Air India will add 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to our network and means we are the first alliance to have a member airline in the Indian sub-continent.
Please join us in welcoming Air India to the network!




And BHX is a Star Alliance airport. :good: :good: :good:

 

[Ray Finkle]

One for the photographers :good:

A formal induction ceremony would be held here some time next month, for which Air India is getting a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an Airbus A-320 — signifying its international and domestic operations, painted with the Star Alliance logo and livery.

Full article: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Indust ... 145055.ece

 

[thunderchild]

Why do Air India choose such bizarre flight paths into BHX?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Another tour of North Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire?