Manchester Airport and IndiGo announce first direct flight to Mumbai

Manchester Airport and Indian airline, IndiGo, have announced the airline’s first direct flights to Europe will connect the Northern hub with India’s financial capital, Mumbai.

The airline announced earlier this year it would begin operating direct routes to Europe for the first time, confirming routes to Manchester and Amsterdam for India’s biggest airline. It adds tto Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations and cements its status not only as the UK’s global gateway in the North but as one of Europe’s most well-connected airports.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial capital of India and one of the most populous cities in the world. Located on India’s west coast along the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the centre of the Hindi film industry and a thriving hub for commerce, fashion, and entertainment. The new link will offer improved connectivity for not only business travellers but also the half a million people of Indian heritage who live in Manchester Airport’s catchement.

Tickets for the new Manchester to Mumbai service went on sale today, with flights running three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from 1st July.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world – that is why we are delighted to be announcing this new direct service to Mumbai, and to welcome IndiGo to the UK.

“This route makes us the only Northern airport with a direct connection to India and cements our position as one of Europe’s best-connected airports. It will link the region to the world’s fastest growing economy, opening up even stronger trade and investment opportunities.

“It will connect half a million people with Indian heritage who live in Manchester Airport’s catchment area to family and friends, and it will capitalise on the wide-ranging cultural and economic ties that exist.

“It also comes at a really exciting time for relations between India and the North of England – with a new consulate having opened in Manchester this year and a number of key cultural, sporting, social and economic partnerships being agreed in recent months. And on top of that we have this summer’s England vs India Test series to look forward to.

“It’s great to see tickets for this exciting route going on sale and I’m really looking forward to welcoming the first passengers in the summer.”

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said:

“IndiGo’s long-haul foray marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion journey.  We are very proud as well as excited to open the sale of our first long-haul service connecting Mumbai with Manchester, a very special route in many ways. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we’re thrilled to announce that specially crafted complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route.  

“The new route will provide seamless connection to a vast majority of 90+ Indian destinations on IndiGo’s domestic network benefiting customers travelling from Manchester to Mumbai. This service by IndiGo will thereby further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, fostering stronger economic, educational, and cultural ties. Beyond supporting the growing Indian diaspora in the region, these direct flights are expected to boost two-way tourism, ease travel for students, professionals and leisure travellers, and unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and collaboration between the two countries.

“We look forward to a strong and synergistic partnership with Manchester airport, to be able to serve our customers well. This significant step underscores our commitment to becoming an airline of truly global scale and stature and contributing towards transforming India into a global aviation hub.” 

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. Last year it served more than 118 million passengers across its network of more than 90 destinations in India and 40 international destinations. It has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft.