Now - Three weekly nonstop flights from Dulles Airport to New Delhi

“Today, we celebrate an important partnership and welcome Air India’s direct air service to Dulles,” saidGovernor Terry McAuliffe, who met with Air India executives and recruited the company to Dulles during the November 2015 trade and marketing mission to India.

“Virginia is committed to expanding and growing our relationships with the international community, especially our friends in India. We look forward to the opportunities this new route will provide for people in Virginia and India alike. This will be an important avenue for business, tourism and educational opportunities between our two great countries.”

The inaugural events included a ceremonial water arch arrival, traditional gate-side Indian prayer ceremony, press conference, ribbon cutting and luncheon, launch Air India’s three weekly nonstop, roundtrip flights between Indira Gandhi International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. 

“India currently represents a six percent market share of all international travelers to the Commonwealth and is Virginia’s fourth largest market,” Todd Haymore, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, was quoted as saying in a press release. “With projected growth, this new direct route to Dulles International will not only help to boost visitation from this high growth market, but also introduce the Commonwealth to new Indian audiences, including businesses, tourists and students.”

“The Washington, D.C., metro is Air India’s fifth U.S. destination after New York, Newark, Chicago and San Francisco, and it reinforces our commitment to providing the most convenient service between the United States and India,” according to Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director of Air India Limited.

As part of an effort to stimulate travel to Virginia through Dulles International Airport, Governor McAuliffe proposed a $1.25 million incentive package over a three-year period beginning in fiscal year 2018 to support Air India. In addition, the District of Columbia plans to provide $250,000 this year to support the partnership. Tourism marketing support will be provided by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Capital Region USA (CRUSA), and Destination DC.

In 2015, India was the fourth-largest overseas market for the Capital Region, which welcomed more than 122,000 Indian visitors—a 25 percent increase from 2014.

“With international visitation between India and the Washington, D.C., area expected to double by 2025, the Airports Authority’s partnership with Air India, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia is just one way we’re working to enhance the level of service offered at Dulles International,” according to Jerome L. Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

For more information on Air India’s new nonstop service from Dulles International to New Delhi, visit flydulles.com.

About Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India and a member of the Star Alliance group. Air India transports passengers, baggage and cargo across a network of 66 domestic Indian destinations and 34 international destinations in the United States, Europe, Australia, Far-East and South-East Asia and the Gulf. Air India flies one of the youngest international aircraft fleets—including the wide-body Boeing B777, B747 and B787 Dreamliner as well as the narrow body Airbus A321, A320 and A319. Air India plans to operate a Boeing 777-200LR, with 8 first class, 35 business class and 195 economy seats, on service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport. For more information, visit airindia.in.