Ireland has stepped up efforts to secure direct air connectivity with India, as Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers held talks with senior executives from Air India and IndiGo during an official visit to India.
The meetings took place as part of a broader EU–India trade mission. Minister Chambers said direct flights between the two countries would deliver “significant economic and social benefits” for Ireland.
While industry sources suggest the process of establishing new long-haul routes could take up to two years, both airlines are understood to have expressed interest in launching services at the earliest feasible opportunity.
A direct route would mark a major milestone for the tens of thousands of Indian-origin residents living in Ireland, cutting travel time and eliminating the need for stopovers in the Middle East or Europe. It is also expected to strengthen trade links, boost tourism flows and deepen business ties between the two countries.
The minister is accompanied by representatives from Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. The visit is the first major Irish trade mission to India since the recent EU–India Free Trade Agreement negotiations advanced, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral relations.