Air India, India’s leading airline and a Star Alliance member, launched a four-times-a-week non-stop operation from Delhi to Milan yesterday. The commencement of this flight along with Air India’s imminent operations from Delhi to Vienna and to Copenhagen will strengthen the airline’s footprint significantly in Europe. The return flight AI 138 landed at Delhi IGI Airport this morning from Milan.
Flight AI137 from Delhi to Milan is operating on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. It departs Delhi at 1420 hrs and lands at Milan at 1830 hrs (LT). The return flight AI138 will leave Milan at 2000 hrs on the same day to reach Delhi at 0800 hrs the next day.
Operated by the next-generation B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 18 Business Class and 238 Economy Class seats, the service on the Delhi-Milan-Delhi sector fulfils the aspiration of millions of tourists, business and corporate travellers in both countries. Tourists from India will have easy access by road to popular cities like Zurich, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Venice, Monte Carlo, Munich, Budapest, Geneva, Cannes and Copenhagen.
A considerable segment of the Indian diaspora in Italy as well as Italians intending to visit various cities in the Indian sub-continent and travel onwards to destinations in Southeast Asia, East Asia, Kathmandu and even Australia will benefit from this non-stop flight between Delhi and Milan. As a tribute to the enthusiastic response from both countries, Air India will also be offering an attractive promotional fare on this route.
Earlier, flight AI137 with 204 passengers had left IGI Airport, Delhi, on time yesterday after a launch event graced by Air India’s Chief Customer Experience & Global Head of Ground Handling Mr Rajesh Dogra. Along with senior Air India officials and GMR & AISATS executives, Mr Dogra lit the ceremonial lamp and cut the ribbon to mark the occasion. A large designer boarding card was also handed over to the first guest reporting for the flight at the dedicated decorated counter at T3. A highlight of this launch flight was a specially curated menu combining the rich flavours of Indian food with authentic Italian cuisine to create a wholesome onboard dining experience for the guests.
The flight had received a warm welcome at the Malpensa Airport in Milan by dignitaries gracing the event to commemorate the occasion. The return flight AI 138 departed Milan with 249 guests, landing back at Delhi at 0800 hrs IST.
With the resumption of these flights, Air India will be serving 7 cities in Europe with 79 weekly non-stop flights – 48 to the United Kingdom and 31 to Continental Europe. This expansion comes as the airline continues to make progress in augmenting its fleet with leased aircraft, and the return of existing aircraft to active service.
Commenting on this expansion, Mr Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, of Air India, said, “With the launch of this flight to Milan, we will be spreading our wings to cover major destinations in Europe and fulfil a key element of our five-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI, that is to strengthen India’s global network. The introduction of these flights is another step in that journey, in sync with our fleet expansion. We look forward to welcoming guests and sharing Air India’s warm Indian hospitality with them.”
