Brussels Airlines (SN, Brussels National) has announced it will begin direct flights between Belgium and India during the first quarter of next year. In a statement, the Belgian carrier said it would begin a 5x weekly Brussels National-Mumbai International service in March 2017.
"The demand for direct flights for passengers as well as for cargo is high. With more than 50,000 passengers per year, Mumbai is the third most important intercontinental destination from Belgium. Furthermore, with this new route we can offer our guests smooth connections between Mumbai and the rest of Europe via Brussels," Lars Redeligx, Brussels Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, said.
The move follows Jet Airways' decision to switch its European transatlantic scissors hub from Brussels to Amsterdam Schiphol in March this year.
“With India, we add an important market to our hub. After the departure of a major Indian player out of Brussels earlier this year, we take our responsibility as the national carrier and we create additional employment for our country" Bernard Gustin, Brussels Airlines CEO, added. "The opening of the Mumbai route will lead to 200 additional jobs at Brussels Airlines and will have a positive impact on our suppliers. By next season, we will offer the diamond- and travel-industry direct flights, which is an important investment in our network expansion and also in the economic relations between Belgium and India."
