London: To the dismay of hundreds of Malayalis settled in the UK, Air India is set to discontinue its London – Kochi route in March 2025. The direct flight services from the London Gatwick to Kochi will be suspended beyond March 30. Currently, the airline operates three weekly services from London Gatwick to Kochi.
No proper explanation
The weekly London – Kochi direct flight was launched as part of the Vande Bharat Mission during the Covid-19 pandemic. This soon became one of the popular and profitable routes of Air India in the international sector. It was raised to two weekly services and then three services in a week. However, the airline company has unexpectedly announced the discontinuation of the route without giving any valid reason.

Passengers won’t be able to book tickets on this route after March 30. Besides, Air India has promised to provide new tickets in other services for those who have already booked tickets for this route. Meanwhile, ticket fare would be refunded for those unwilling to take a different route. The Malayalis settled in the UK are reportedly disappointed at the abrupt discontinuation of a popular route that has become their lifeline within a short span of time.

Abrupt and unexpected
The British Malayalis, meanwhile, are trying to restore the service through massive online petitions and by bringing the issue to the notice of the MPs, the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. Besides, various travel agencies have pressured Air India management to restore this route. The travel agencies had received information about it only two days ago. Discussion and debates ensued on social media soon after the airline company was officially announced. Meanwhile, Air India hinted at the aircraft shortage as the reason for discontinuing the service. However, the airline company increased the weekly services to Amritsar from three to four, contradicting this claim.

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Ignored Kerala, bonus for Amritsar
Currently, Air India operates direct flight services from London Gatwick to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa and Kochi. Although all these routes come under the VRF category (Visiting Friends, Relative and Leisure Travellers), they generate more income than Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru routes. The Air India management has made the decision to discontinue a popular route without considering these facts. In addition to this, the four weekly services to Goa would be slashed to three. Despite reducing a service, the Goa sector has been retained as it is India's most popular tourist destination.

Meanwhile, the three weekly services to Amritsar have increased to four. The management said that the service has increased due to the high demand for this route. But, the three weekly services to Kerala have been abruptly discontinued without providing any reason.

Travel agents initiate discussions
In a meeting held at the Gatwick airport between the Air India management and the travel agents, the latter expressed their displeasure over discontinuing the direct flights to Kochi that were always filled. The travel agents rebutted the management’s claims by flagging the daily Bengaluru services that almost fly empty. 16 travel agents from various parts of the UK attended the meeting with the management. When the travel agents broke the management’s arguments by presenting valid data and numbers, the airline’s representatives said that the decision was taken in India and suggested taking up the matter with the central government. The travel agents and the passengers are surprised at the airline’s bizarre argument that it has discontinued a popular service to a cosmopolis like London as it has a severe shortage of aircraft even to operate services on busy routes like Dallas and Los Angeles.

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Passengers’ favourite service
Air India’s direct flights became extremely popular quickly despite its unimpressive customer service, damaged seat monitors, and poor toilet facilities. These services reduced travelling time significantly and were relied on by the elderly who travelled alone. Interestingly, most of the London – Kochi direct flights passengers were old people who were visiting their children in the UK. Former central minister V Muraleedharan appealed to the Chief Minister, Prime Minister, and then aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri to immediately include Kochi when the Vande Bharat flights resumed after the pandemic. The authorities of the Cochin International Airport, too, had interfered to get this route approved.

Tried earlier too
Air India had reportedly tried to discontinue this service in 2023 too. However, it didn’t happen due to the successful intervention of the various Malayali organisations, MPs and V Muraleedharan. Similar efforts, including high-level interventions, are required this time also to save the route. Meanwhile, the Malayali associations in Britain hope that central minister Suresh Gopi would take up the matter.

Unkept promises
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced at the Europe regional meet of the Loka Kerala Sabha that there had been positive developments in discussions with the Air India management to increase the London – Kochi direct flight services from three to five in a week. Noted businessman MA Yussuf Ali, who is also the director of the Cochin International Airport, reiterated this. However, Air India’s latest decision starkly contrasts these assurances.

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Air India had launched the Vande Bharat direct flights to various Indian cities to bring back the Indians who got stuck in Britain during the Covid 19 pandemic. The direct services were to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad, Kochi and Bengaluru. Later, the service to Kochi was ungraded to a regular one. The Malayalis in Britain were thrilled to have a direct flight service which allowed them to reach home in a single stretch of just ten hours. Soon, the London – Kochi direct flight service became extremely popular, even surpassing Emirates. These flights have never run services with vacant seats as there has not been a shortage of passengers. Meanwhile, the CIAL authorities encouraged this service by allowing relaxations in the ground handling charges and arranging accommodation facilities for the crew in hotels close to the airport.

UUKMA begins online petitions
The Union of United Kingdom Malayalee Associations has started an online petition demanding that the concerned authorities interfere in this matter. More than three thousand members have already signed this massive petition. The association’s spokesperson, Advocate Aby Sebastian, said that UUKMA aims to collect as many signatures as possible and bring this matter to the immediate notice of the Prime Minister. The petition has been prepared by UUKMA president Dr. Biju Peringathara. 

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