• September 24, 2023

IndiGo’s partnership with British Airways to kickstart direct flights from Thiruvananthapuram to London

IndiGo’s partnership with British Airways to kickstart direct flights from Thiruvananthapuram to London

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON Sept 25: In a promising development for travelers seeking enhanced connectivity between Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, and the United Kingdom, IndiGo Airlines, India’s leading domestic airline, has made Thiruvananthapuram the latest point of origin in Kerala for flights to London via Mumbai. This announcement follows IndiGo’s recent collaboration with British Airways through a codeshare agreement, aimed at simplifying travel for Indians, especially students, heading to the UK.

The expansion of IndiGo’s codeshare network to include Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TVM) is expected to significantly bolster air connectivity between Kerala and London, further solidifying the city’s role as a crucial gateway for international travel.

New Pathways to London

With the addition of Thiruvananthapuram, travelers now have eight Indian cities to choose from when connecting to London Heathrow via New Delhi or Mumbai. Among these options, two are located in Kerala: London Heathrow to Kochi via Mumbai and the newly added route, London Heathrow to Thiruvananthapuram via Mumbai. This recent inclusion marks a notable achievement for Thiruvananthapuram and underscores its growing importance as a hub for international air travel.

This strategic partnership has resulted in British Airways adding its code to a variety of destinations within IndiGo’s extensive network. Commencing on October 12, 2023, this collaboration promises improved connectivity between Southeast Asia and Europe, benefitting travelers from both regions. Notably, British Airways passengers traveling between Thiruvananthapuram and London, or those transiting through Heathrow, will now have the convenience of a single-ticket booking for their entire journey.

An IndiGo representative expressed enthusiasm about the two new Kerala-to-London flights via Mumbai, emphasizing their significance in strengthening connectivity from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi to the UK. The surge in passenger traffic between Kerala and the UK, particularly among students and job seekers, has driven the demand for these routes.

“The growing number of passengers from Kerala heading to the UK for educational and employment opportunities has created substantial demand for flights departing from Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, many travelers from South Tamil Nadu also rely on Thiruvananthapuram airport. This includes a significant number of students pursuing higher education overseas. In fact, individuals from various cities across India are traveling to the UK, which is why we have entered into this codeshare agreement,” explained IndiGo sources at Thiruvananthapuram airport.

IndiGo operates an extensive domestic and regional network using a fleet of A320 aircraft. Passengers flying with British Airways on codeshare flights to India will enjoy several benefits, including complimentary meals and British Airways’ generous baggage allowance in economy class, allowing two checked bags of up to 23 kg each per person.

Apart from IndiGo, Air India also offers two daily services from Thiruvananthapuram to the UK via Mumbai. Previously, travelers from Kerala preferred transit through Dubai or other GCC countries, but the substantial difference in ticket prices has prompted many Malayalis heading to Europe, the US, and Canada to choose Mumbai airport as their transit hub. Consequently, Thiruvananthapuram has witnessed a significant increase in passenger traffic bound for Mumbai, making it an attractive alternative for international travel.

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