Jet Airways confirms Manchester-Mumbai link

The new route means the Indian carrier will claim market leadership between the UK and the city, which is India’s commercial capital and centre of the Bollywood industry.

The airline will fly on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, offering 254 seats on a two-class Airbus A330-200, including 18 in the airline’s Premiere cabin. Flights will depart Manchester at 09.35, arriving in Mumbai at 00.40. The inbound service will leave at 02.30, arriving at 07.55. Economy fares will start at £400 return.

Jet Airways already flies to Mumbai three times a week from Heathrow and will offer onward connections to 44 domestic routes at its hub, plus international routes including Bangkok and Hong Kong. There are an estimated 500,000 people in the north west of Indian origin, but the 130,000 people travelling between Manchester and Mumbai currently have to travel indirectly.

A Manchester airport spokesperson said: “We anticipate the impact of this service will be similar to that seen with the launch of the Manchester-Beijing route nearly two years ago – it has led to a visitor economy spend of around £140m a year in the north, a 265% increase in export values and a doubling of inward investment enquiries.”

India has overtaken China as the world’s fastest-growing economy – with current expansion in excess of 7% per annum. India is also the world’s third most significant economy in terms of purchasing power.

Vinay Dube, Jet Airways chief executive said: “We are extremely pleased to begin a new chapter in our decade-long relationship with the United Kingdom.

“With the new flight, Jet Airways will have over 8,000 seats on offer every week, making it increasingly convenient for both business and leisure travelers to travel between the UK and India. This will deepen both commerce and tourism ties between the two countries.”