Air India launches Delhi–Rome direct flight, expands Europe network

Air India has started a new non-stop service between Delhi and Rome, marking its return to the Italian capital after nearly six years and expanding its mainland Europe network to eight destinations, the airline said on Wednesday.

The airline will operate four weekly flights on the route, strengthening connectivity between India and Italy and supporting growing travel demand across business and leisure segments.

Flight AI123 departed Delhi at 1332 hrs (IST) on March 25 and landed at Rome Fiumicino later in the day. The inaugural service was received by officials from the Indian Embassy in Italy, airport authorities and Air India staff. The return flight from Rome reached Delhi at 1029 hrs (IST).


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Four weekly flights to boost India–Italy connectivity
Air India will operate the Delhi–Rome service on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using its Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The aircraft features a two-class configuration with 18 business class seats and 241 economy seats.

“Demand for travel between India and Europe continues to grow across both leisure and business segments, with the two nations sharing so much in common culturally, and their increasing exchange that continues to deepen business, trade, and people-to-people ties. We are delighted to reconnect the two historic capital cities while also enabling seamless onward travels via our Delhi hub to and from destinations across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of the airline.

The airline said the schedule will offer connections via Delhi to multiple destinations across India and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

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Italy remains a key partner for India in trade and tourism. Bilateral trade between the two countries crossed USD 14 billion in 2025, while over 200,000 people of Indian origin live in Italy, supporting steady travel demand.

“The new direct connection to Delhi enhances our offering to the Indian capital and meets the growing travel demand between Italy and India. This new route further strengthens Rome Fiumicino’s role as a leading international hub in the Mediterranean, increasingly central to air links with Asia,” said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma.

With this addition, Air India now operates non-stop flights from India to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, Vienna and Zurich.