TBM Staff - Mumbai Virgin Atlantic has unveiled plans to launch its fifth daily flight connecting Mumbai and London starting in October 2024. This strategic move comes shortly after the airline’s inaugural flight between Bengaluru and London on March 31st.
Shai Weiss, the CEO of Virgin Atlantic, emphasized the significant demand potential in India’s air travel market. With only 7% of the population currently possessing passports, Weiss sees ample room for growth. He noted that India’s outbound international travel rate is relatively modest, with around one and a half trips per 100 people, in contrast to China’s significantly higher rate.
Virgin Atlantic anticipates a substantial capacity increase, projecting a 350% growth since 2019 with the addition of these flights. However, the airline is awaiting an increase in bilateral seat capacity between India and the UK to support its second flight from Mumbai.
Weiss also highlighted Virgin Atlantic’s enduring presence in India, with 2025 marking 25 years since the airline’s inception in the country. Over this period, the airline has progressed from offering zero seats to an anticipated one million seats.
Interestingly, Weiss pointed out that despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, it has paradoxically strengthened India’s position in comparison to other markets. This has led to Virgin Atlantic’s decision to expand its capacity in the region.
