Air India resumes non-stop New York flights from Delhi, Mumbai
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New Delhi: Air India has reinstated non-stop flights between Delhi and Mumbai and New York after the easing of airspace restrictions that had forced the airline to make refuelling stops on select services.
The restoration is expected to cut journey times by up to five hours, bringing flights that previously took nearly 22 hours down to around 17 hours.
The airline had introduced technical halts in Rome after Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers earlier this year. Subsequent restrictions over parts of the Middle East amid regional tensions further affected flight operations between India and North America.
With the reopening of the previously restricted airspace, Air India has resumed direct services across all four routes connecting the two Indian cities with New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
The airline operates daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to JFK. Its Delhi-Newark service runs four times a week, while the Mumbai-Newark route has three weekly flights.
Air India deploys its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on Delhi-New York services, offering Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Mumbai-New York flights are operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft featuring refurbished interiors and First Class, Business Class and Economy seating.
The resumption of direct operations is expected to improve travel convenience and strengthen connectivity between India and the United States.
With IANS inputs