British Airways to add third London-Delhi flight amid FTA boost

British Airways on Wednesday announced plans to launch an additional flight between London and Delhi in 2026, aiming to strengthen air connectivity between India and the United Kingdom following the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations in July 2025.

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK aims to reduce tariffs, simplify trade procedures, and boost bilateral investment. By easing the movement of goods and services, the FTA is expected to create new opportunities for Indian businesses, increase exports, and strengthen economic ties between the two countries. For India, this means greater access to the UK market, potential growth in sectors like technology, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, and enhanced overall trade competitiveness on a global scale.

The airline, which has been operating in India for over a century, made the announcement as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the ‘Britain Means Business’ trade mission to India. The delegation, comprising around 130 top UK CEOs and senior government ministers, arrived in Mumbai on a chartered British Airways flight on Tuesday.

In a statement, British Airways said it will introduce a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi in 2026, subject to necessary regulatory and capacity approvals. The airline also announced the return of its premium First cabin on flights from London to Mumbai later this month. Additionally, the latest business class Club Suite will be available on select flights across all five Indian routes by the end of 2026.

Currently, British Airways operates 56 weekly flights connecting London with five major Indian cities, three daily flights to Mumbai, two to Delhi, and one each to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. India remains the airline’s largest market outside the United States.

Prime Minister Starmer said British Airways has played a vital role in connecting the UK and India for more than a century. “As our landmark trade deal opens new avenues for business, our national flag carrier will help strengthen trade links with India, driving growth and delivering on our Plan for Change,” he said.

British Airways Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle highlighted that the airline’s relationship with India spans over 100 years, with approximately 2,500 employees based in the country. He said the new trade agreement is expected to enhance economic momentum and create opportunities for both nations.

“The Free Trade Agreement will boost economic activity between our two countries, and British Airways sits at the centre of that activity, acting as an enabler for increased trade. We will continue expanding our network in line with this growth,” Doyle said.

The additional London-Delhi service marks a significant expansion for British Airways in India, reinforcing its commitment to the growing India-UK travel and trade corridor.