Air India, owned by the Tata Group, is making key adjustments to its London flight schedule as part of its Northern Summer 2025 (NS25) season. These changes, set to begin in late March and early April 2025, reflect the airline’s strategic plan to meet shifting passenger demand and optimize its international network.
Changes to Air India’s London Flight Schedule
Air India is revising its flight frequencies on several routes between India and the UK. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:
Goa Mopa (GOX) – London Gatwick (LGW)
- Current Frequency: 4 flights per week
- Revised Frequency: 3 flights per week
Starting 30th March 2025, Air India will reduce flights between Goa’s Mopa Airport and London Gatwick from 4 times a week to 3. The slight reduction hints at a drop in demand for direct flights on this route.
Goa remains a major destination for tourists, especially from the UK, and this adjustment may be temporary, depending on seasonal demand.
Amritsar (ATQ) – London Gatwick (LGW)
- Current Frequency: 3 flights per week
- Revised Frequency: 4 flights per week
Air India will add one extra weekly flight between Amritsar and London Gatwick, increasing the frequency to 4 flights per week, effective 5th April 2025.
This change reflects high demand, mainly driven by the large Punjabi community living in and around London. The additional flight will make travel more convenient for passengers, particularly those visiting family and friends.
Kochi (COK) – London Gatwick (LGW)
- Current Frequency: 3 flights per week
- Revised Frequency: Service suspended (0 flights per week)
From 30th March 2025, Air India will suspend its direct flights between Kochi and London Gatwick. The airline may have chosen to discontinue this route due to lower-than-expected revenue or a need to reallocate aircraft to higher-demand routes.
Passengers traveling between Kerala and London will need to consider connecting flights through major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru.
Why London Gatwick Plays a Key Role
London Gatwick serves as an important secondary airport for Air India’s UK operations, catering primarily to price-sensitive leisure travelers and those visiting friends and family. Unlike London Heathrow, which handles the majority of business and long-haul traffic, Gatwick focuses on routes with a high volume of ethnic and VFR traffic.
Currently, Air India operates flights from four Indian cities to London Gatwick:
- Ahmedabad
- Amritsar
- Goa
- Kochi (until March 2025 suspension)
Gatwick allows Air India to offer competitive fares and maintain cost-effective operations while connecting India to regions with a significant Indian diaspora. As Gatwick is cheaper for airlines compared to Heathrow, it remains an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.
Challenges and Future Expansion
Air India’s current fleet shortage is a key reason for its network adjustments. The airline has delayed launching new flights to key U.S. destinations like Los Angeles and Dallas due to aircraft availability issues. To address this limitation, Air India is focusing on maximizing efficiency by reallocating capacity to routes with higher passenger demand and profitability.
The Tata Group’s leadership is expected to drive further network optimization and international expansion. Additional changes to the airline’s UK and Europe operations are likely in the coming months.
Air India’s summer 2025 schedule changes reflect a strategic approach to adapt to passenger demand and address operational challenges. By cutting low-performing routes like Kochi-London, increasing frequencies on high-demand sectors like Amritsar-London, and leveraging the affordability of Gatwick Airport, Air India is working toward streamlining its international services. With further fleet expansion on the horizon, the airline aims to build a more robust global network, connecting India with key destinations worldwide.
