Brussels Airport Plans Direct Flights to Delhi and Mumbai
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Quick summary
- •Brussels Airport is in active talks with Air India and IndiGo to restore direct flights to Delhi and Mumbai.
- •No direct Belgium–India flight has operated since Brussels Airlines stopped in 2018.
- •Key demand drivers: Antwerp's diamond industry, ~150,000 Belgium–India passengers annually, and pharmaceutical cargo.
- •IndiGo is already expanding into Europe and is considered the more likely near-term partner.
- •A direct route would cut travel time significantly and strengthen Belgium–India trade and cultural ties.
Brussels Airport is actively working to re-establish direct air connections between the Belgian capital and India’s key cities—Delhi and Mumbai. The airport’s aviation development director is currently in India as part of an economic mission, engaging with leading airlines Air India and IndiGo in an effort to attract them to the Belgian market.
Previously, direct flights between Belgium and India were operated by Jet Airways until 2016 and Brussels Airlines until 2018. However, since their discontinuation, no airline has filled this gap, leaving India—a country with a population of 1.4 billion—the largest untapped Asian market for Belgium. At the same time, Belgium and Spain remain among India’s most underserved European destinations.
The demand for direct flights has been mounting, particularly from Antwerp’s diamond industry and Belgium’s substantial Indian expatriate community. Business and trade relations between the two countries continue to thrive, increasing the necessity for seamless air travel.
Brussels Airport has made expanding its intercontinental network a strategic priority, regularly engaging with Air India and IndiGo to explore potential routes. This week’s discussions form part of broader efforts to bring back direct connectivity.
Air India, India’s flagship carrier, remains the country’s largest airline, while IndiGo—the region’s dominant low-cost carrier—has been expanding its international reach. Notably, IndiGo has a crew lease agreement with Norse Atlantic and is set to launch European routes this summer, further enhancing its global footprint.
A new direct air link between Brussels and India is expected to significantly boost passenger traffic for business, tourism, and family visits. Additionally, the cargo sector stands to benefit immensely, particularly given India’s prominence in the pharmaceutical industry. With a major role in the global supply of generic drugs, India represents a key market for Belgian logistics and air freight.
Brussels Airport handled 23.6 million passengers and 700,000 tonnes of cargo in 2024, with approximately 150,000 travelers flying between Belgium and India last year. The reintroduction of a direct flight would not only enhance connectivity but also strengthen economic ties between the two nations, catering to growing commercial and cultural exchanges.
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