Uk and India flight connections: Eastern promise

British Airways has almost doubled the number of flights it offers between Heathrow and India. The carrier has taken its weekly India services from 19 to 35, and is predicting further growth for the next four years. The new schedule, which came into affect on October 30, includes an increase in flights to Mumbai from one to two per day, a new service to Bangalore operating five time weekly, and increased flights to Chennai, up from two to six per week. BA will continue to operate to Kolkata tree times weekly and to Delhi daily, but there are plans to boost Delhi to double daily from summer 2006. The move by BA follows liberalisation of aviation regulations operating between the two countries has enabled the carrier to boost frequency, but has also allowed new entrants, including Virgin Atlantic, Bmi and Jet Airways, to launch flights between the UK and India. Return fares for the India services start at the following prices, including taxes: Heathrow-Bangalore £455 Heathrow-Chennai £399 Heathrow-Delhi £455 Heathrow-Kolkata £505 Heathrow-Mumbai £399 For more information go to www.ba.com. Report by Ginny McGrath