July the next target for Air India

July the next target for Air India
By admin


July is the latest prospective launch date of Air India flights to Australia, it has emerged.

The latest delay in the frustrating and protracted on-off introduction of services has been blamed on the worldwide grounding of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, a reason that does have some credibility given the immense disruption to airlines around the world.

Speaking last night at the launch of the Australia India Travel and Tourism Council, the India High Commissioner of India to Australia, Biren Nanda, said the "aircraft designated for the route" had been grounded – a reference to the troubled 787.

He did not elaborate on the saga other than to say the "long fed need for direct flights I think will be addressed in the very near future".

But sources told Travel Today last night that assuming the Dreamliner is back in the air by the end of April – a scenario that is far from certain – the first direct services could start in July.

"The delay to the 787 has screwed up everything," one source said.

If and when flights do finally launch, Air India is expected to operate a triangular daily service, linking Delhi, Sydney and Melbourne.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]