Air India is set to make significant changes to its London operations this summer. The airline will suspend its longest route to London, Kochi-London Gatwick, from March 30, 2025. The decision comes as part of Air India’s cabin retrofit program for its Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 fleets, which has led to a “consequent temporary reduction in the operational fleet,” according to the airline.
Despite achieving load factors of over 90% on the Kochi-London route, Aviainsights suggests that lower yields have prompted the suspension. “Given lower average base fares and longer distance, Kochi is likely to have been the worst performing in terms of yields out of all the carrier’s services to London,” stated Aviainsights.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority reported that Air India transported nearly 70,000 passengers between Kochi and London Gatwick from January to November 2024. However, despite high passenger numbers, the financial performance was not satisfactory due to high operating costs and long flight distances.
Air India will maintain its frequency at London Gatwick by increasing flights from Ahmedabad and Amritsar. The airline plans several adjustments within its network including more flights between Delhi and both Zurich and Vienna. Additionally, flights from Delhi to Seoul Incheon will see an extra weekly service while those from Delhi to Hong Kong will upgrade from an A321 aircraft to a Boeing 787 for daily services.
Air India’s widebody retrofit program is scheduled to begin in April with hopes of completing narrowbody modernization by mid-2025. The retrofit involves upgrading seats and entertainment systems on Boeing aircrafts. Although originally planned for early 2026, production constraints at a seat supplier have delayed similar upgrades for the Boeing 777 fleet.
