The first service is set to commence on October 27 2019 and will complement the airline’s long-established route between London and Delhi.
The daily service will link India’s commercial centre and the UK’s capital, and provides seamless connections via Heathrow between India and the US. The new flights will depart and arrive at Heathrow in the morning to align with connecting passenger and cargo flows to and from US.
The Mumbai flights will be operated on Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, providing 26 tonnes of cargo capacity.
Said Dominic Kennedy, Managing Director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo: “in 2018, our cargo revenues ex India rose 10% as support grew for our daily Delhi flights. The Mumbai market is equally buoyant. In the last four years, the overall market from Mumbai to the UK and US has increased by more than 50% in revenue terms, alongside increases of 46% to India from both countries. When we resume Mumbai operations in October, we aim to win a strong share of this growing market.”
Until recently, Virgin Cargo was able to serve the Mumbai market through its partnership with Jet Airways; however, since Jet Airways suspended operations, it has launched the new route meet customer demand.
The new Mumbai flights mark Virgin Atlantic’s twenty-seventh daily service from London Heathrow and its third new route announcement this year.