After Six-Year Hiatus, Air India Restores Non-Stop Delhi-Rome Flights in 2026

Air India, owned by the Tata Group, announced the resumption of its non-stop service between Delhi and Rome. The new route will restart on March 25, 2026, after a nearly six-year suspension. This move is a key part of the airline's international route restoration strategy. It follows a period of network restructuring and fleet constraints after the 2022 privatization.

Key Service Details

The Air India Delhi-Rome flights will operate four times weekly. Flights are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The service will connect Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) with Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Air India plans to deploy the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. This wide-body jet features 18 flat-bed seats in Business Class. It also includes 238 seats in the Economy Class cabin.

Strategic Network Expansion

The original Delhi-Rome service was halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return was delayed by the airline's privatization and limited wide-body aircraft availability. The Tata Group fleet expansion is now enabling this growth. The airline is inducting new aircraft, including Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-1000s in 2026. The Rome route brings Air India's mainland Air India European network destinations to eight. This network includes cities like London, Paris, and Frankfurt.

Air India is also restoring other long-haul routes. Non-stop Delhi-Shanghai flights are set to resume in early 2026. This highlights the carrier's focus on key global corridors.

Market Impact and Competition

This non-stop India-Italy service is expected to significantly benefit travelers. It eliminates the need for stopovers via Middle Eastern or other European hubs. Rome is a major destination for tourism, education, and business travel. Italy is one of India's largest trading partners in Europe, supporting strong commercial links.

• Tourism Growth: Indian tourist arrivals in Italy grew from 160,000 in 2008 to 593,000 in 2019. This growth trend continued post-pandemic, with a peak in 2023.
• Hub Connectivity: The Delhi Fiumicino direct route will improve onward connections. Passengers from Italy can connect to destinations across South and Southeast Asia. These include Bangkok, Colombo, and Singapore.
• Competitive Landscape: The direct route competes primarily with ITA Airways. However, the main competition comes from one-stop carriers. These include Emirates, Etihad, and Lufthansa.

Industry data from IATA forecasts India to become the world's third-largest aviation market by 2026. This India-Europe air travel expansion is crucial. It supports the nation's rising global aviation prominence. The re-established direct air link is a positive sign for commercial aviation news and market recovery.

Air India's Chief Commercial Officer noted the strategic importance of Rome. He emphasized the deep-rooted commonalities between the two nations. The new service is a key step in Air India's transformation journey.