Hyderabad's RGIA resumes direct flights to UK

Hyderabad: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) resumed direct flights to the UK from 17 August and the first flight from Hyderabad took off at 7:50 a.m Monday for London's Heathrow Airport.

This was part of the Central government's initiative to form “transport bubbles” and restart international air connectivity that had been disrupted following the COVID-19 outbreak. Air travel is gradually showing signs of recovery. Re-starting the Hyderabad-London connection, the first flight of British Airways (BA 276) took off on Sunday from Hyderabad.

The UK-based airlines, British Airways, will operate four days a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Passengers can book tickets as per the guidelines issued by the Union ministry of Home affairs.

With an aim to revive the pandemic-hit economy during Unlock 3.0, the Centre is building “transport bubbles” or “air travel arrangements” - temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended due to the pandemic.

“We are happy to resume flight services to one of our important destinations under the international air transport bubbles arrangement. The UK has always been a key destination. The resumption of this connection between Hyderabad and London would help restore vital economic and social links between Telangana and the UK, enabling the much-needed movement of people and goods,” said a spokesperson for the Hyderabad international airport.

A spokesperson for the British Airways said, “Following months of uncertainty caused by the global lockdown, we are delighted to be able to once again provide a direct flight between Hyderabad and the UK. We know many of our customers in India have been waiting to be reunited with friends and family. We look forward to welcoming them back on board.”