Australians, get ready for a new nonstop route… Air India will connect Melbourne with Mumbai for the first time ever, launching the service on 15 December 2023.
India’s national carrier will utilise its B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on the route, which will operate three times per week. Depending on demand, the airline could add to its frequency down the line.
The Melbourne-Mumbai service will complement Air India’s existing daily flights between Melbourne and Delhi.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the announcement confirmed the advantages of an open skies agreement.
“Australia and India have an open skies air services agreement, which has provided Air India the certainty they need to efficiently announce, put on sale and launch these new flights without the uncertainty associated with bilateral agreements,” Parashos stated.
“Open Skies and liberal bilateral agreements provide airlines with the certainty they need to add flights and respond to trends as demand for passenger and cargo increases.”
Leading the way
Melbourne had more Indian visitors than any other Australian city in the last financial year, with 433,000 Indian residents flying in and out of the Victorian gateway.
“In recent months Melbourne Airport has seen record numbers of Indian visitors travelling through the terminals, and this new service will make it even easier for families to reconnect or for tourists and students to explore our great state,” Parashos added.
“Melbourne is home to Australia’s largest Indian population and shares significant cultural ties, which makes it the obvious gateway for travellers from the subcontinent wanting to explore Victoria and beyond.
“Our data shows that as India’s financial capital, Mumbai is currently Melbourne’s largest international market without non-stop flights, so we expect this service to be very popular in both directions.”
Air India’s Melbourne-Mumbai flights will depart Tullamarine at 8pm.
In August, Air India unveiled a fresh new aircraft livery and the phased launch of a revamped website, mobile app, loyalty program and cabin interiors as part of the carrier’s new brand identity.
This month, new data revealed that Australia is one of the top five nations visiting India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Last year, Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons announced a merger between Air India and Vistara, creating India’s leading airline group.
