Air India is preparing to commence non-stop flight services between Mumbai and Melbourne, Australia from December this year.
The Indian full-service carrier intends to operate a thrice weekly direct service between Mumbai and Melbourne starting December 15, 2023. It will become the only airline providing the non-stop service between Mumbai and Australia.
The new Mumbai-Melbourne service is set to add nearly 40,000 seats per year to the Australian state of Victoria.
Local tourism demand
The Indian community has a strong representation in the Australian eastern state; estimated at over 200,000 residents. This constitutes around 40 per cent of the total Indian diaspora currently living in Australia.
The new Melbourne service comes as a response to the growing demand from Indian nationals to visit friends and relatives, as well as capturing the market for business and leisure travel to the region.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer for Air India stated: “We look forward to launching the only non-stop flight between Mumbai and Melbourne.”
“This is a great step forward in our ongoing transformation programme, which, among other aspects, aims at connecting India to more of the world with non-stop flights.”
“We are excited to showcase the positively changing Air India flying experience to travellers on this route, of which great Indian hospitality will remain a cornerstone.”
Mumbai – Melbourne Flight Scheduling
Departures from Mumbai are expected to operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays with flights landing in Melbourne around 6 PM local time. Return services are planted apart Melbourne at 8 PM local time on these days, landing in Mumbai around 2:35 AM local time.
Flight services will be operated by the carriers Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fleet, which are configured with 18 flatbeds in business class and 238 seats in economy.
Air India currently operates services to both Melbourne and Sydney from Delhi, and the proposed new Mumbai route service has been accepted well in Victoria.
Natalie Hutchins, Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry, said: “We’re very excited that the first direct flights from Mumbai to Australia will land in Melbourne.”
“This new route will boost tourism, create local jobs and open more pathways for Victorian businesses to reach one of the world’s fastest growing economies,” she concluded.
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