Governor McAuliffe announces inaugural nonstop Air India flight from Dulles International to New Delhi

Governor McAuliffe was at Dulles International Airport Friday for festivities to announce Air India’s inaugural nonstop flight to New Delhi from the northern Virginia facility.

DULLES, Va. —Governor Terry McAuliffe on Friday announced the inaugural nonstop Air India flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to New Delhi. The Governor announced the news at an event at Dulles Airport, and was joined by Virginia Secretary of Commerce & Trade Todd Haymore and Air India leadership, as well as a delegation from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the Indian Embassy. The event was a celebration of the first-ever nonstop flight connecting the National Capital Region and New Delhi.

“Today, we celebrate an important partnership and welcome Air India’s direct air service to Dulles,” said Governor McAuliffe, who met with Air India executives and recruited the company to Dulles during the November 2015 trade and marketing mission to India.

“Virginia is committed to expanding and growing our relationships with the international community, especially our friends in India. We look forward to the opportunities this new route will provide for people in Virginia and India alike. This will be an important avenue for business, tourism and educational opportunities between our two great countries.”

“India currently represents a six percent market share of all international travelers to the Commonwealth and is Virginia’s fourth largest market,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “With projected growth, this new direct route to Dulles International will not only help to boost visitation from this high growth market, but also introduce the Commonwealth to new Indian audiences, including businesses, tourists and students.”

“The Washington, D.C. metro is Air India’s fifth U.S. destination after New York, Newark, Chicago and San Francisco, and it reinforces our commitment to providing the most convenient service between the United States and India,” commented Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director of Air India Limited.

As part of an effort to stimulate travel to Virginia through Dulles International Airport, Governor McAuliffe proposed a $1.25 million incentive package over a three-year period beginning in fiscal year 2018 to support Air India. In addition, the District of Columbia plans to provide $250,000 this year to support the partnership. Tourism marketing support will be provided by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Capital Region USA (CRUSA), and Destination DC.

In 2015, India was the fourth-largest overseas market for the Capital Region, which welcomed more than 122,000 Indian visitors—a 25 percent increase from 2014.

“With international visitation between India and the Washington, D.C., area expected to double by 2025, the Airports Authority’s partnership with Air India, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia is just one way we’re working to enhance the level of service offered at Dulles International,” said Jerome L. Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

“For more information on Air India’s new nonstop service from Dulles International to New Delhi, visit flydulles.com.