Air India, owned by Tata Group, is considering a new route connecting Kochi (COK) and Dublin (DUB), marking its expansion into high-demand European destinations. Reports indicate that discussions have advanced between Air India, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), and Irish authorities.
This potential three-times-weekly service stems from increasing demand, with an estimated 118 passengers travelling daily between the two cities. Baby Pereppadan, Mayor of South Dublin, confirmed ongoing talks to establish the route, aiming to enhance connectivity and convenience for travellers.
Currently, Air India dominates the India-Europe market, offering 114,000 one-way seats in 2024, a 36% increase from 2019. Post-merger with Vistara, the carrier plans to provide 160,000 seats, commanding nearly 31% of the market share.
The proposed Kochi-Dublin route aligns with Air India’s strategy of operating direct point-to-point flights, complementing its existing routes like Kochi to London Gatwick. As Air India expands its fleet, it aims to balance hub-and-spoke operations from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with new direct routes to meet rising demand.
