Air India Launches Mumbai – Melbourne Direct Services

The Allan Labor Government has partnered with Air India to bring a new flight route from Mumbai to Melbourne, bringing more visitors and students to the state, aiming to increase investment opportunities and create hundreds of local jobs.

The Allan Labor Government joins hands with Air India to start non-stop flights from Mumbai to Melbourne from December 2023, operating three times a week and adding 40,000 seats per year into Victoria. It’s the first time in more than 40 years an airline has provided a non-stop service between Mumbai and Australia.

Backed by the Labor Government and Melbourne Airport, the Air India flights is expected to generate $55 million for the Victorian economy each year and create an estimated 264 jobs in the aviation and tourism sectors.

Minister for Jobs and Industry, Natalie Hutchins, “We’re very excited that the first direct flights from Mumbai to Australia will land in Melbourne. This new route will boost tourism, create local jobs and open more pathways for Victorian businesses to reach one of the world’s fastest growing economies.”

Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer, Lorie Argus mentions, “In recent months Melbourne Airport has seen record numbers of Indian visitors travelling through the terminals, and this new service will make it even easier for families to reconnect and for tourists and students to explore our great state.”

Talking about the latest development, Air India Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer, Nipun Aggarwal, “We look forward to launching the only non-stop flight between Mumbai and Melbourne. This is a great step forward in our ongoing transformational programme, which among other aspects aims at connecting India to more of the world with non-stop flights.”