Manchester Airport to offer direct flight to Delhi

Some 28,800 people from Yorkshire travel to the Indian capital city each year indirectly but Virgin Atlantic will begin a three times a week direct service starting in October this year.

It will benefit the 500,000 people of Indian origin living across the North of the UK, with airport bosses saying it will unlock a wide range of economic opportunities.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport and chair of the Manchester India Partnership, said: “Securing a direct service to one of India’s major cities is the product of a lot of hard work over a long period of time to forge closer ties between Manchester and this globally significant economy.

“I am delighted Virgin Atlantic has recognised this by launching what I’m sure will be a popular service, not least for the 500,000 people of Indian origin living across the North.

"Our Aviation team has worked closely with the airline to create a compelling case for why our city – and the wider North – is a great place to visit, invest in and do business with. Virgin Atlantic is a key partner for Manchester Airport and this new route to Delhi is in addition to continued growth in recent years for the airline here at the UK’s third biggest airport.

“Direct connectivity to the world’s most important markets is key to creating a prosperous and internationally competitive Northern economy, and a balanced and outward facing UK.

“This route will deliver a major boost to businesses looking to export to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, as well as helping to attract Indian visitors and investors to the North.

“We look forward to working with Virgin Atlantic on launching the Delhi service in the months ahead and thank them for their continued growth at Manchester, the UK’s global gateway for the North.”

The Manchester-Delhi service will be operated by an A330-200 aircraft, with Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class cabins. It will fly on a Monday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Manchester at 16:40 landing the next morning in Delhi at 06:05. The return service, will depart on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday at 08:10 landing back at 12:10.

There are currently 180,000 people a year who fly from Manchester Airport’s catchment area to Delhi, the capital of India and home to is main government functions.

Virgin Atlantic launched a direct Manchester to Los Angeles service last year and in the summer, as part of the airport’s £1bn transformation, will open a Clubhouse in the new terminal.

The news comes as today Manchester welcomed the UK High Commissioner to India, Sir Phillip Barton. He was due to meet members of the MIP board and visit the likes of Manchester City Football Club, the University of Salford and MediaCityUK.

Henri Murison, Northern Powerhouse Partnership Director, said:

“A direct link to Delhi is a major step forward for the businesses and leisure travellers of the Northern Powerhouse. Manchester Airport increasing its global connectivity is vital for the continued economic progress of the North, maximising existing runway capacity.”

“Linking up the North’s high speed rail network, so that more than half of the population of the Northern Powerhouse can access Manchester Airport within two hours, remains a key goal and one of the significant outcomes from the High Speed North project the government have recently announced.”