Air India and IndiGo Expand European Routes: What Travelers Need to Know
Enhanced Connectivity Between India and Europe
Mumbai: Travelers flying between India and Europe can look forward to improved connectivity next year, as Air India, operated by the Tata Group, announces the revival of its flight services to Rome, Italy. Additionally, IndiGo is set to introduce its services to London Heathrow from Delhi.
Air India previously offered flights to Rome from Delhi until early 2020, but these services were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
IndiGo currently provides daily direct flights from Mumbai to London Heathrow and will expand its offerings to include 12 weekly flights to the British capital.
Starting March 25, 2026, Air India will resume its operations with four weekly flights between Delhi and Rome (Leonardo da Vinci International Airport – Fiumicino), marking its return to the Italian city after nearly six years and further enhancing its European network.
The flights to and from Rome will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays using Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which features 18 flat beds in business class and 238 seats in economy class.
"Connecting India to more global destinations is a key focus for us. The cultural, business, and trade ties between India and Italy make Rome a fitting addition to our expanding network," stated Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India.
With the inclusion of Rome, Air India now serves eight destinations in Europe and three in the UK.
This non-stop service not only enhances direct connectivity between the two capitals but also provides Italian travelers with more options and seamless connections through Air India's Delhi hub to various locations across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, Aggarwal added.
"The return of Air India's services to Rome with direct flights to Delhi is a significant milestone that reflects the anticipated growth in long-haul markets in 2026. This new route meets the increasing demand across vital traffic segments, further solidifying economic and cultural relations between Italy and India, and expanding opportunities for collaboration between the two nations," remarked Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma.
In parallel, IndiGo announced it will launch new direct flights between Delhi and London (Heathrow) starting February 2, operating five times a week with wet/damp leased Boeing 787 aircraft.
These new flights will be available in a dual-class configuration, including IndiGoStretch and economy class.
"This new service aims to cater to the rising demand for travel between the two cities for business, tourism, and family visits. IndiGo is dedicated to making international travel more seamless and accessible while enhancing connectivity between India and key global destinations," said Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer of IndiGo.
The introduction of this route signifies a consistent expansion of international connectivity from Delhi, following recent launches to Denpasar (Bali), Krabi, Hanoi, Guangzhou, and Manchester. IndiGo has also announced direct flights to Athens starting January 2026.