British Airways' Kolkata-London direct flights could return as Mamata Banerjee seeks revival

British Airways is considering launching biweekly direct flights between Kolkata and London, following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's request during her visit to the UK. The airline has not yet issued an official statement. Banerjee ...

By ET Online | Apr 01, 2025, 01.56 PM IST

Kolkata may soon get direct flights to London as British Airways is reportedly considering launching a biweekly service between the two cities. The announcement came after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised the issue during her recent visit to the United Kingdom.

On Thursday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) said on social media that British Airways is acting on Banerjee's request, with plans for direct flights already in progress. However, the airline has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.

— AITCofficial (@AITCofficial)

Last week, Banerjee, during her visit to the High Commission of India in London, urged the Indian Ambassador to facilitate a direct air route between Kolkata and London. She highlighted the inconvenience caused by the recent fire and power outage at Heathrow Airport, which extended her journey from eight hours to 18 hours.

"Bengal is not too far from here, but we want direct flights. My request to the Ambassador of India to the U.K. would be to pursue it. Earlier, there was British Airways, but before we came to power, the London-Kolkata route was withdrawn," Banerjee said.

She reiterated her request during an investor meeting in London, offering fuel concessions to airlines willing to start direct connections. She had previously discussed this issue at the Bengal Global Business Summit earlier this year.

"I spoke to (the Chairperson of Tata Sons) on the phone... I requested him to start direct flights between West Bengal and Europe since they have taken over the operations of Air India. He responded positively," she had said in February.

If British Airways proceeds with the route, it would mark the revival of a long-demanded direct link between Kolkata and London, which was discontinued years ago.

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