Virgin Atlantic Cargo is growing its network covering 350 destinations worldwide with the return of flights to Mumbai, India’s thriving commercial centre from 28 October this year, a route it first served from 2005 to 2009. The new daily A330 passenger and cargo service from London Heathrow will provide a welcome boost in cargo capacity for customers to and from one of the world’s
most buoyant freight markets, according to Virgin.

New Delhi, served by daily flights, has been one of Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s top performing routes over the last 12 years while India is forecast to continue to grow at a faster annual rate than other traditional cargo markets.

John Lloyd, director of Cargo at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Returning to Mumbai is a real bonus for our cargo business and our customers. The air cargo market in India is already very strong for us through New Delhi and with Mumbai’s buoyant commercial centre and industrial infrastructure we expect to easily fill our capacity with cargo connecting to and from points across the Virgin network.”
He added that Mumbai is Heathrow’s 12th busiest long-haul route, with Virgin expecting to see equally high demand for cargo space in both directions.

James Bevan, British High Commissioner to India, said: “I am
delighted that Virgin Atlantic has announced it is expanding into Mumbai. The expansion of air links between the UK and India helps to underpin the vibrant people to people ties between our two
countries. And it reinforces the UK’s position as an unrivalled global hub for business and a stepping stone to the rest
of the world.”