Air India has decided to cease all flights to London Gatwick this summer, opting instead to consolidate its operations at London Heathrow. The airline has already suspended routes from Amritsar and Goa in mid-June and had previously halted flights from Kochi earlier this year. Flights from Ahmedabad have now been redirected to Heathrow.
The decision comes amid ongoing challenges for Air India, including the impact of a fatal crash on June 12 that led to the grounding of several Boeing 787s, affecting flight frequencies across various routes. Additionally, the closure of Pakistani airspace continues to complicate travel from Northern India.
Air India's presence at Gatwick began in March 2023, targeting secondary Indian destinations. However, these routes were less profitable compared to the primary markets of Delhi and Mumbai served through Heathrow. By focusing on core markets, Air India aims to optimize resources and boost indirect traffic via its main hubs.