Menzies Aviation Scores Contract With Air India For Services In Los Angeles & Dallas/Fort Worth

There’s long been speculation of Air India adding more United States destinations to its network, but so far, it has not made any official announcements. Still, every once in a while, a development hints towards the airline inching closer to adding additional routes to the US, and the latest one includes a leading airport and airline partner announcing a deal with Air India for several global destinations, including Los Angeles and Dallas.

Menzies Aviation signs major contract with Air India

Menzies Aviation, a company that specializes in ground services, cargo, and fueling, among others, has signed a major deal with Air India

. The three-year agreement will see the company handle Air India’s ground handling and cargo services at eight locations across four continents.

What’s interesting is that Menzies Aviation’s official statement includes some destinations that Air India currently does not fly to. It says that the company will provide passenger, ramp, de-icing, and cleaning services at London Heathrow (LHR), Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Photo: Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock

That’s not all; the company also states that it will deliver cargo warehouse services at four locations for the flag carrier of India, including Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Sydney Airport (SYD) and Melbourne Airport (MEL). Philipp Joeinig, Group CEO, Menzies Aviation, commented,

“We’re excited to enter a new chapter in our relationship with Air India, expanding our footprint right across the globe. This latest win underscores the progress we are making on our ambitious growth plans and reflects the safe, secure and high-quality services that we offer our customers. We look forward to building our relationship with Air India, providing exceptional aviation services to its growing number of passengers over the next three years.”

Are new US destinations on the horizon?

Air India recognizes the potential of adding new non-stop flights to the United States, but it has not made any official announcements yet. Still, a few developments lately suggest that the carrier could start flights to some new locations in the US, such as Los Angeles.

Last month, Ishrion Aviation posted on X that the carrier received its Air Carrier Operating Permit from Los Angeles (LAX). This could be considered a significant step towards starting a flight to the city soon.

As examined by Simple Flying’s route analyst James Pearson earlier, Los Angeles has around 340,000 passengers (967 daily) traveling between the Californian city and all of India. In the absence of any non-stop service, passengers take connecting flights from several global hubs, primarily those in Dubai, Doha, Singapore, and London Heathrow.

Photo: Eliyahu Yosef Parypa | Shutterstock

Los Angeles-Delhi is the largest market with 97,000 roundtrip passengers, followed by Mumbai (71,000), Bengaluru (31,000), Hyderabad (25,000), and Chennai (20,000).

Rumors have also been circulating for a while now that Air India is keen on starting a nonstop flight to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Again, the airline has not officially announced this.

Related

Coming Soon? Air India Takes Next Step In Adding Los Angeles Flights

It would be the airline’s seventh North American airport.

Improving international connectivity

Air India aims to develop strong hubs in India that offer convenient connections for passengers from the West for onward flights to destinations in Australia and Southeast Asia. India’s former aviation minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, also spoke about developing world-class hub airports in the country.

As a step in this direction, Air India recently announced that it will offer enhanced connectivity from the UK and Europe to Australia and Southeast Asia via India and vice versa, reducing connection times to around 2.5 hours from Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Photo: Menzies Aviation

It called the campaign “Via” to highlight these improved connection times, promote India as a world-class hub, and raise awareness among travelers about the destinations they can conveniently fly to via India. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, commented,

“India’s geographical advantage and impressive airport infrastructure, combined with Air India’s robust route network, offer convenient one-stop access for travellers from the West to East and vice-versa.”

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