DELHI- British Airways (BA) CEO Sean Doyle revealed to CNBC-TV18 in an exclusive interview, a £7 billion investment strategy, the significance of India’s rapidly expanding aviation market, and much more.
The airline will allocate half of this budget to fleet expansion and acquisition, addressing the growing demand in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation sectors.
British Airways CEO Strategy
The carrier plans to introduce over 35 new long-haul aircraft to strengthen its international network, particularly focusing on the Indian market.
India’s current air travel per capita remains significantly lower than China’s, presenting substantial growth potential for international carriers.
British Airways will invest the remaining £3.5 billion in modernizing its IT infrastructure, enhancing digital services, upgrading airport lounges, and improving onboard experiences through aircraft reconfiguration. These improvements aim to elevate customer service standards across all operational aspects.
The UK’s second-largest carrier faces supply chain challenges that could impact its expansion plans. However, Doyle confirms that aircraft deliveries remain on schedule, supporting the airline’s long-haul network growth strategy.
The investment aligns with British Airways’ recognition of India as a strategic market, where rising disposable incomes and increasing air travel demand create significant opportunities.
100 years of Flights to India
British Airways marks 100 years of operations in India, evolving from 14-day London-Delhi flights in the 1920s to today’s eight-and-a-half-hour direct services. The airline currently operates around 50 weekly flights to India, with plans to surpass pre-pandemic capacity levels in 2025.
British Airways positions India as its second-largest market, leveraging strong trade relationships and diaspora connections between the UK and India. The carrier employs 2,500 people in India, recently inaugurating new Engagement Centres in Noida to enhance local market operations.
The airline’s growth strategy focuses on expanding Delhi operations while strengthening its position as a major connector between India and North America. British Airways offers connections to 31 U.S. cities through London Heathrow, maintaining Europe’s largest network to India and the most extensive London-U.S. route system.
New Menu and Indian Feel
The airline introduces authentic Indian cuisine on flights to the UK, US, and Canada, featuring traditional dishes from lamb curry to coconut rice.
The carrier expands its entertainment offerings with over 100 Indian films, including classics like “The Burning Train” and “Dil Chahta Hai.” The entertainment expansion aims to provide passengers with diverse cinematic options representing Indian culture.
British Airways partners with Twinnings to offer specially crafted masala chai, incorporating authentic Indian spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. The airline’s catering team develops an extensive Indian menu featuring phaldari kofta, spiced grilled lamb with Rogan josh sauce, and railway lamb curry with basmati rice.
The menu expansion includes vegetarian options like young jackfruit biryani and saag makai, complemented by bhapa doi dessert with tropical fruits. Each dish incorporates authentic ingredients and traditional cooking methods to maintain culinary authenticity.
Business class passengers can now experience Godawan, a single malt from Rajasthan.
Remarks on Bomb Threat
British Airways CEO Sean Doyle endorses airlines’ security responses to recent bomb threats affecting Indian carriers. Doyle confirms airlines must implement appropriate security measures based on threat assessments, supporting their operational decisions during security incidents.
Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Doyle outlines the collaborative security framework between airlines, airports, and security agencies. This integrated approach enables comprehensive threat evaluation and determines necessary security protocols, including potential aircraft groundings.
The CEO details British Airways’ established security infrastructure, which aligns with international standards for threat assessment and response. Doyle notes the unprecedented scale of current threats targeting Indian airlines, emphasizing the aviation industry’s coordinated approach to security management.
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