(Image source from: GoTravelYourWay)

British carrier Virgin Atlantic, after discontinuing its flights to Mumbai, on Tuesday announced the recommencement of its daily services to the city from London's Heathrow, starting October.

The London-Mumbai flight will be available from booking from May 28 and the services on the route will restart from October 27, Virgin Atlantic said in a release. At present, the airline operates a daily flight on the Delhi-London route.

The Mumbai flight will be operated with a 258-seater Boeing 787-9 planes in three class configuration - 31 business, 35 premium and 192 economy class - and complement London-Delhi route of the airline, it said. 

"2019 marks a significant period of growth for Virgin Atlantic and I am delighted that we're continuing to expand our route network once more, by returning to Mumbai.

"Until recently we have been able to serve this important market through our partnership with Jet Airways, however, since Jet Airways has sadly suspended its operation, we now have an opportunity to provide alternative options for our customers and meet this demand," said Juha Jarvinen, Executive Vice President for commercial, Virgin Atlantic.

Besides providing an increased offering to the thriving Indian market, together with its partners Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic will offer more seamless connections to the USA via Heathrow airport, he said.

Citing economic conditions, the carrier withdrew the service to Mumbai from London in 2009. It reintroduced the route in 2012. However, Virgin Atlantic discontinued the services in January 2015 again as part of the network review.

The services to Mumbai from London was launched in March 2005.

By Sowmya Sangam