Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks with Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Sean Doyle, Chief Executive of British Airways, before departing London Heathrow Airport as they head to India to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promote the recently signed trade deal, in London, Britain, October 7, 2025.
British Airways announced a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi from next year as it flew into the national capital 130 top U.K. CEOs and senior government ministers on its chartered flight as part of a trade mission accompanying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer here on a two- day visit.
The airline will also look for “further growth opportunities” in the country as trade between the U.K. and India increases, it said in a press statement. The carrier operates 56 weekly flights connecting London with five key Indian cities, which are Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
The trade delegation in Mumbai follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the U.K. and India in July.
“As our landmark trade deal paves the way for new opportunities for businesses, our national flag carrier will play a critical role in strengthening trade links with India, boosting UK growth and helping deliver on our Plan for Change,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted in a press statement issued by British Airways.
“We will develop our own network alongside increased economic activity so the FTA for our business is very good news,” Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways, said adding that the airline offers the biggest network of any European carrier into the North Atlantic and helps connect India to the US and beyond.
Apart from Air India’s 49 weekly flights to London Heathrow and some from London Gatwick and Birmingham, IndiGo too entered the UK from July with three weekly flights to Manchester from Mumbai. The airline will also fly to Manchester from New Delhi, a UK government press release said. This is likely from November 15, according to industry sources. IndiGo has also announced daily flights to London Heathrow from Mumbai from October 26
The expansion of flight network between India and UK is expected to generate over £50 million in annual exports, £25 million in tourism income, and 450 new jobs, while boosting productivity and research collaboration, the UK government press statement said.
Published – October 08, 2025 10:41 pm IST
