Launch of London–Delhi Flights

On 5 July 2000, we launched our first scheduled service between London Heathrow and Delhi, establishing Virgin Atlantic's presence in the Indian aviation market. The new route connected the UK capital with one of India's principal commercial and cultural centres, extending our long-haul network into the Indian subcontinent. Initially operating twice weekly using Boeing 747 aircraft, the service offered passengers an additional choice for travel between the two countries. The launch followed a codeshare agreement with Air India in December 1999, which enabled us to operate services using part of the Indian national carrier's unused traffic rights between the UK and India. The arrangement provided a route into a market where international flight frequencies were governed by bilateral aviation agreements. It also created opportunities for cooperation between the two airlines while introducing additional competition on the London–Delhi route. Richard Branson travelled to Delhi for the launch, arriving aboard a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 named Ruby Tuesday. The occasion included promotional activities in the Indian capital, reflecting our approach to introducing the Virgin Atlantic brand in new markets. The Delhi service established our first scheduled connection with India and provided a starting point for developing our presence in the country's long-haul aviation market.