Air India’s purported decision to discontinue its direct flight service on the London-Kochi route from March 31 is set to impact a large number of Malayalis in the United Kingdom.
Many fear the move will lead to higher travel costs and inconvenience for those returning home.
Currently, Air India operates three flights per week to London’s Gatwick airport. The cancellation will eliminate the only direct flight link between Kerala and the UK, forcing travelers to rely on transit flights via Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru.
The Tata-owned airline continues to operate London-bound flights from Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Goa, in addition to Kochi.
Initially launched as a weekly service under the Vande Bharat Mission during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kochi-London flight was later regularised and increased to three weekly flights, providing much-needed relief to the Malayali diaspora.
In response, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden has urged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to intervene and ensure the continuation of the Kochi-London (Gatwick) flight. “The minister has been informed about the difficulties this cancellation could cause for professionals, including nurses, as well as tourists and other passengers. The minister has assured that necessary steps will be taken to prevent the discontinuation of this service.”