MANCHESTER Airport is to welcome a new budget airline that will have long-haul flights.
IndiGo confirmed that the UK city will be one of the first in Europe to welcome a new route to India.
IndiGo is launching UK flights this summer[/caption]
The new route will fly three times a week from Manchester Airport[/caption]
The official destination is yet to be confirmed although it is expected to be Delhi.
The budget carrier revealed plans last month to expand to Europe, having also announced flights from Amsterdam to India as well.
The new route will fly three times a week, and is set to launch in July.
When it launches, it will be the only direct route to India for the north of England.
IndiGo chief executive Pieter Elbers said: “Today, we unlock a new and very exciting chapter in IndiGo’s growth journey, connecting India to the heart of Europe.
“We’re thrilled to announce our first-ever long-haul destinations – Manchester and Amsterdam.
“India has strong ties both with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for business and tourism; and there is a large Indian diaspora who live in these countries.
“These new flights will benefit both our existing and potential customers who fly on these routes.
“These new IndiGo long-haul routes are steps towards inching closer to realising our shared vision to build India into a global aviation hub.”
Currently, Brits can fly with both Virgin Atlantic and AirIndia to Delhi, with the latter being the flag carrier.
While flight prices for IndiGo are yet to be revealed, they said they will be “affordable fares”.
Currently, flight prices are around £425 return, taking just over eight hours.
Air India is also increasing its flights from the UK this year.
The Indian flag carrier recently merged with Vistara, another Indian airline.
Following this, routes from London Heathrow to Delhi will increase from 21 to 24 per week.
Two more routes from London Heathrow to Gatwick will operate per week this summer, as well as another two to Ahmedabad.
And London Gatwick to Amritsar flights will increase from three to four per week.
Most people head to India to explore the Golden Triangle, which explores Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous attractions, built in Agra in the 1640s.
And Jaipur, dubbed the “pink city” is home to the famous Amber Fort.
Can’t quite make it to India? Here is a landmark in the UK that will transport you to the country instead.
Most tourists explore Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in India[/caption]
