High demand leads to hike in India-UK flights quota

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has announced an increase in flight quota operating between India and the UK within the Covid safety bubble, from 30 to 60 flights per week from August 16 onwards.

The ministry's decision has come five days after Sanjeev Gupta, Secretary, Inter-State Council Secretariat, Union home ministry, complained that an economy-class ticket for the Delhi-London route for August 26 was steeply priced between Rs 1.15 Lakh (£1,117.48) to Rs 395,000(£3,837).

"There are only 15 flights a week allowed currently on India-UK route for Indian carriers, and when there is relaxation and more capacity allowed, it will automatically bring down prices," Vistara had said earlier.

Presently under the Covid safety regulations, the two groups of airlines — Indian carriers and British carriers — are each allowed to operate 15 flights per week on the India-UK route.