India Urgent Push to Reinforce Vital International Air Connectivity as Kolkata Airport Joins Air India and Premier Global Airlines

India is taking significant steps to revive international air connectivity by pushing for the restoration of direct flights from Kolkata Airport to key global destinations. In collaboration with Air India and major international carriers, including European airlines, the initiative aims to strengthen Kolkata’s role as a crucial hub for both business and tourism. The push focuses on launching direct routes to Europe and Asia, boosting the region’s connectivity and recovery post-Covid. With strong backing from the state tourism department and local stakeholders, this effort is set to enhance Kolkata’s position on the global aviation map.

Kolkata’s Effort to Launch Direct European Flights Gains Momentum

In a significant move to revive international air connectivity, Kolkata’s airport operator, the state tourism department, and associations representing travel agents are taking steps to attract major global carriers. The group, in collaboration with Air India (AI), is preparing a comprehensive pitch to European airlines including British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and KLM. The aim is to resume direct flights from Kolkata to London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and beyond. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to re-establish vital international connections that were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Joint Pitch for Direct Flights to Europe

At the heart of this effort is a commitment from the airport operator and tourism bodies that there is enough demand to sustain not just one, but two daily flights to key European destinations. Aimed at fostering tourism and business exchanges between Kolkata and Europe, the proposal has garnered support from various stakeholders in the region.

The airlines being approached include some of the most well-established in the European market, such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and KLM. The joint pitch also involves seeking Air India’s support for the initiative, as the national carrier already operates some international routes from Kolkata, albeit with limitations.

This strategic pitch follows the recent cancellation of direct flights from Kolkata to London, a service once operated by British Airways. The carrier ended its Kolkata-London route in March 2009, after nearly 80 years of operation. Similarly, Air India, which continued operating direct flights to London after the pandemic, has also discontinued these services.

Focus on Asian Airlines and Resumption of Pre-Covid Routes

In addition to European carriers, the airport operator and the tourism bodies are targeting Asian airlines to restart pre-Covid international routes. They are reaching out to airlines such as Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and IndiGo Airlines, urging them to resume flights to Kolkata. These airlines had served the Kolkata market prior to the pandemic but have yet to return.

The desire to reconnect Kolkata with the rest of Asia is driven by the need to cater to the increasing demand for international travel and the growing interest in the city’s expanding role as a business and cultural hub. Restoring these pre-Covid connections will be critical in helping Kolkata regain its status as a major air travel hub in the region.

The Meeting at Nabanna: A Step Towards Realizing the Vision

A recent meeting held in Nabanna, Kolkata’s state government headquarters, served as a crucial step in making this ambitious plan a reality. The meeting, which was convened by Nandini Chakravorty, the state home secretary, brought together key stakeholders from the tourism and aviation sectors. Among the attendees were Kolkata airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria, Anushila Chaturvedi, chairperson of the Airport Operators Committee, and travel trade leaders such as Manav Soni and Anjani Dhanuka from the Travel Agent Association of India (TAAI).

One of the primary goals of the meeting was to discuss the potential for launching direct flights between Kolkata and major international cities. While the proposals are still in the early stages, the participants discussed the logistics of approaching European and Asian airlines with compelling arguments about the demand and business potential of Kolkata.

Chief Minister’s Intervention and Support

Adding weight to the efforts, the Chief Minister of West Bengal personally intervened by reaching out to British Airways during her visit to London. In her discussions with a representative from BA, the CM requested that the airline consider resuming direct flights between London and Kolkata. The West Bengal government’s proactive approach has been instrumental in re-establishing these connections, as the state has shown a clear willingness to support international carriers looking to operate in Kolkata.

During her meeting with British Airways, the Chief Minister highlighted the significance of the Kolkata-London route, which had once been a key component of the city’s air traffic network. The government’s willingness to offer incentives and subsidies for the airline’s operations is also a part of the ongoing effort to make Kolkata an attractive destination for foreign airlines.

The Issue of Aviation Taxes

Another challenge that was discussed at the Nabanna meeting is the high tax rate on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) in the state. Currently, West Bengal levies a 30% tax on ATF, a major cost component for airlines operating domestic and international flights. Travel trade representatives, including members of the TAAI, have urged the state government to reduce this tax in order to make operations to Kolkata more financially viable for airlines.

The state government has already signaled its readiness to explore options to offer incentives to airlines, including tax relief on aviation fuel. The Chief Minister’s discussions in London with British Airways included a proposal to lower taxes for airlines operating to Kolkata, making the city a more attractive hub for international aviation.

Bilateral Air Traffic Agreements and Challenges

Beyond the local and state-level factors, there is also the challenge of bilateral air traffic agreements that limit the number of flights between countries. These agreements, negotiated between governments, determine the number of flights that can operate between two countries and the airlines that can serve these routes. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs plays a central role in managing these agreements, and decisions on increasing flight frequencies or adding new routes must be coordinated at the national level.

The bilateral agreements are a critical part of the aviation industry’s efforts to expand international connectivity. While these agreements are often restrictive, they are also necessary to ensure that international routes are operated in a fair and balanced manner. The West Bengal government’s efforts to collaborate with the central government and international airlines will be crucial in overcoming these limitations.

India is driving efforts to restore direct international flights from Kolkata Airport, partnering with Air India and global airlines to enhance connectivity to Europe and Asia. This initiative aims to boost Kolkata’s role as a key aviation hub post-Covid.

The Future of Kolkata’s International Air Connectivity

As Kolkata’s international connectivity efforts continue to gain momentum, the city’s airport is positioned to play a central role in India’s broader strategy to increase its global aviation network. The joint pitch to European and Asian carriers represents a major push to expand Kolkata’s international air routes, particularly in the post-Covid world. With strong support from the state government, travel trade associations, and Air India, there is hope that the city will soon regain direct flights to Europe and key Asian markets, strengthening its position as an international hub for business, tourism, and cultural exchange.

The efforts to bring direct flights back to Kolkata from key European cities like London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, as well as to revive pre-Covid routes to Asia, reflect the city’s growing importance in the global aviation landscape. While challenges such as aviation fuel taxes and bilateral agreements remain, the combined efforts of the airport operator, state government, and tourism bodies are setting the stage for Kolkata’s reintegration into the international travel network. With the support of global carriers and the proactive engagement of local stakeholders, Kolkata’s air connectivity is on the verge of a significant revival, benefiting both the tourism industry and the wider economy.