Manchester Airport’s new route to India’s capital city Delhi launched on Saturday meaning the North now has nine weekly connections to the country.
The new route to Delhi is operated by IndiGo, India’s largest airline, and will run five times per week. It is on top of IndiGo’s four weekly services to the country’s financial hub Mumbai.
The first flight for the new service departed from Manchester Airport’s brand-new, £1.3bn Terminal 2 at on Saturday.
The connection will augment the financial benefits already being felt following the launch of IndiGo’s Mumbai service in June and has been heralded by Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle.
IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. The route between Manchester and Delhi was its first European route when it launched earlier this year.
Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle said:
“The choice of Manchester for India’s flagship airline’s first European destination is proof of the growing strength of the UK-India relationship.
“These flights will create even more opportunities for British and Indian firms and comes in the wake of our landmark trade deal, ushering in more money and jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:
“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the World and this new connection to Delhi means the people of the region can now enjoy the benefits of nine flights per week to India.
“It will drive millions of pounds into the regional economy, improve tourism links between our two countries and benefit the Indian communities in the North.
“I was incredibly proud to be able to celebrate the inaugural flight and am looking forward to hearing about the benefits this service brings.”
