- SHORT GLIMPSE
- Air India has launched operations on Delhi to Zurich route.
- From 4 to 10 European airports, the airline has came a long way.
- Air India and Swiss are members of Star Alliance.
In its aim to triple European operations, Air India has moved one step closer with the launch of the Delhi to Zurich route. This marks the entry of Air India into the Switzerland market. Both Air India and Swiss International Airlines are members of Star Alliance. In addition, both of them have signed a codeshare agreement.
Air India Launch Zurich Operations
The mainline carrier of TATA Group, Air India has launched its Switzerland operations. The inaugural flight between Delhi and Zurich is in the air. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANN operating the maiden flight.
From now on, the airline will operate four times a week on this route. Flights will be operational on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Air India has a fleet of 27 Boeing 787s, configured with 18 Business and 238 Economy Class seats. In the table below, you can take a look at the flight timings between Delhi and Zurich:
Flight Number | Origin | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Destination |
AI 151 | Delhi | 14:05 | 19:15 | Zurich |
AI 152 | Zurich | 20:50 | 08:05 (+1) | Delhi |
In addition to catering to the non-stop traffic, Air India is also aiming at connecting passengers traveling between Southeast Asia and Zurich. From Delhi, it will provide seamless connections to Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Melbourne, Phuket, Singapore, Sydney, etc.
Zurich will become the 10th airport for Air India in Europe. From four European airports during privatization to 10 European airports now, the airline has come a long way in the international market segment. When it was privatized, it used to operate to Frankfurt, Paris, London Heathrow, and Birmingham. Later on, the airline added/resumed flights to Milan, Vienna, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Gatwick, and the latest one- Zurich.
According to Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air India, more than 250 Swiss companies are operating in India. More than 18,000 NRIs are living in Switzerland. The operator of Noida Airport- Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd is an SPV of Zurich Airport AG, a Swiss company.
Second Airline Between India and Switzerland
Air India is the second airline to operate flights between Delhi and Zurich. Swiss International Airlines, the national flag carrier of Switzerland already connects Zurich to Delhi and Mumbai. It operates daily to both cities using its Airbus A330-300 fleet. The A333s of Zurich Airport are premium heavy with 8 First, 45 Business, and 183 Economy Class seats.
Jointly, both airlines will operate 11 times a week between Delhi and Zurich. Both Air India and Swiss have signed a codeshare agreement with each other. Both airlines codeshare on the following routes:
- Delhi – Zurich – Delhi
- Mumbai – Zurich – Mumbai
- Pune-Delhi-Zurich-Delhi-Pune
Pune was added to this list in February month. Alongside the codeshare partnership, both airlines are members of Star Alliance.
Conclusion
Air India has ventured into the Switzerland market with the launch of flights between Delhi and Zurich. The airline will now operate four times a week on this route. It will be utilizing the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Zurich will become the 10th European airport for Air India.
What do you think about the entry of Air India into the Switzerland market? Discuss in the comment section.
Book Flights Here: Air India
Featured Image Credits: Mitchul Hope, via Wikimedia Commons
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