• Home
  • World News
  • Mamata Banerjee Asks British Airways to Revive Direct Flights from London to Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee Asks British Airways to Revive Direct Flights from London to Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, appealed for this in the course of requesting British enterprises to invest in the clean energy, smart infrastructure, and green technology industries.

Mamata Banerjee Asks British Airways to Revive Direct Flights from London to Kolkata

As part of a recent effort to boost global connectivity and economic cooperation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has requested British Airways to re-establish direct flights from London to Kolkata. Addressing an interactive session called "Opportunities in West Bengal" in London on Tuesday.

 

Banerjee highlighted the historic connections between the two cities and the increasing need for direct air travel
"My humble appeal to my UK airline friends—can you give us one direct flight? British Airways previously had London-Kolkata flights. But prior to our taking office in 2011, the service was cut. I do not know why. But now every flight is nearly full. We are also offering some fuel concessions. Whoever comes to us first, we will provide them with a preference for fuel tax," Banerjee said.


British Airways suspended its Kolkata operations in March 2009 after almost 80 years of operations, citing commercial grounds. Air India too suspended its direct Kolkata-London flight in 2008 due to poor passenger load. 


Following Banerjee's request, top officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the West Bengal government held a high-level meeting to discuss new international connectivity possibilities from Kolkata. The talks centered mainly on reactivating the long-abandoned London-Kolkata route, which could greatly improve business and tourism opportunities in the state. 


Banerjee also encouraged British industries to set up businesses in West Bengal, pointing towards the potential of green technologies, smart infrastructure, and clean energy segments. She promoted the state's industrial development by mentioning six economic corridors, industrial parks, and a growing MSME base.


The Chief Minister's initiative for the London-Kolkata flight is part of her larger vision to make Bengal a prime investment hub. With business delegations from the UK and other international markets showing interest in the state, hassle-free air connectivity is likely to be a key driver in promoting trade and economic cooperation.


Myanmar Earthquake Kills 1,644: Foreign Aid Arrives as Anti-Coup Forces Halt Fighting

Myanmar Earthquake Kills 1,644: Foreign Aid Arrives as Anti-Coup Forces Halt Fighting

In the wake of the horrific earthquake that hit central Bangkok and other parts of the nation, the d...
Protestors Disrupt Mamata Banerjee's Oxford University Speech, CM Asks for Respectful Debate

Protestors Disrupt Mamata Banerjee's Oxford University Speech, CM Asks for Respectful Debate

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to the protesters as "Left, ultra-Left frie...
Deadly 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Myanmar, Killing 674 and Wounding More Than 700

Deadly 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Myanmar, Killing 674 and Wounding More Than 700

In Thailand, across the border, a tower fell, with eight confirmed dead and over 70 missing.  ...
Indian Auto Industry Prepares for Impact as Trump Levies 25% Tariff on Imported Cars and Parts

Indian Auto Industry Prepares for Impact as Trump Levies 25% Tariff on Imported Cars and Parts

India exported $21.2 billion worth of auto parts into the $1.2 trillion global auto parts market dur...
Heathrow Fire Halts Flights, Delays Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's UK Trip by a Day

Heathrow Fire Halts Flights, Delays Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's UK Trip by a Day

Tens of thousands of passengers were stranded by a blaze at the busiest airport in Europe, causing t...
Heathrow Airport To Reopen Fully After Massive Fire Leads to Thousands of Flight Delays

Heathrow Airport To Reopen Fully After Massive Fire Leads to Thousands of Flight Delays

Heathrow Airport Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye apologized to the stranded passengers and justified ...
US to Erase Prior H-1B Visa Data from March 20: What Employers and Applicants Must Understand

US to Erase Prior H-1B Visa Data from March 20: What Employers and Applicants Must Understand

The Donald Trump government is said to be introducing the new H-1B regime in order to enhance the pr...
NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Return to Earth After 286 Days in Space

NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Return to Earth After 286 Days in Space

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have successfully returned to Earth after a long 2...
Israel Restores Gaza Strikes, Ending Truce; Over 100 Killed in Fresh Violence

Israel Restores Gaza Strikes, Ending Truce; Over 100 Killed in Fresh Violence

The ceasefire agreement has been undone by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the government, with...
NASA Bids Farewell to Sunita Williams' Return from Space on March 18, Splashdown off Florida Coast

NASA Bids Farewell to Sunita Williams' Return from Space on March 18, Splashdown off Florida Coast

Splashdown in the ocean is expected for the astronauts on March 18 (GMT) off the Florida coast, NASA...