New Route Connects North England with Mumbai Without Stopovers
A new nonstop service operated by Indian airline IndiGo now connects Manchester with Mumbai, creating the first direct, year-round air route between Northern England and India. The flight, which began in early July, expands long-haul travel options from Manchester Airport and removes the need for connecting flights through major European or Middle Eastern transit hubs. For travellers in the North, this marks a shift in accessibility, making long-distance routes less dependent on southern airports.
Before this route existed, about 70,000 people each year had to piece together their trip from Manchester to Mumbai using connecting flights, often waiting for hours in foreign airports along the way. Now that the flight runs direct, people from Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and nearby towns can get to western India without jumping through hoops or juggling multiple flights. The new route improves overall accessibility for those visiting relatives, travelling for business or planning extended trips across the country.
Those stepping off the plane in Mumbai will find that the city’s oldest stories are tucked into its southern tip, where past centuries still echo through streets and buildings. The Gateway of India, located near the city’s historic port, stands as a symbolic entrance to Mumbai and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the country. Boats leave from this part of the port to reach Elephanta Island, where stone-cut temples have stood for centuries, filled with carvings and spaces tied to Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Away from the coastline, Mumbai’s streets show how the city has changed over time. Colonial-era buildings stand beside modern glass towers, especially around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a railway station that mixes British and Indian architecture. Not far from there, Marine Drive curves along the sea, offering space for evening walks and city views. These places still play a part in the daily rhythm of life. Locals pass them daily without needing a map.
The launch of this direct service by IndiGo offers Northern travellers an opportunity to bypass London entirely when flying to India. It simplifies travel planning, reduces transit stress and shortens total journey time. For many first-time visitors, it also makes Mumbai more accessible as a starting point for travel across India, from its crowded urban centres to more remote cultural and natural destinations.