Air India may not be able to start direct Ahmedabad-London flight from December 15

NEW DELHI: Air India may not be able to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wish to start a direct flight between Ahmedabad and London from December 15, 2015, as the airline is struggling with a crew shortage.

“Our Ahmedabad-London connection will be via Mumbai initially and we will convert it with a direct flight only from January 15, 2016, when we have the adequate crew required for the flight,” said a senior Air India official, who did not want to be identified.

The official, however, clarified that the passengers will not even be deplaned at Mumbai airport and the journey will be with about 90 minute stopover in Mumbai, ‘where they will only have to identify their cabin baggage.’

PM Modi announced a direct flight between Ahmedabad and London from December 15, 2015.

While announcing the flight, he said that there was a direct connection between Ahmedabad and London during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. “Those flights were later discontinued. Do not ask me why and how was it done?” he said addressing the Indian diaspora at the Wembley stadium in London.