Starmer’s visit to India earlier this month follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in July.

British Airways will introduce a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi in 2026, subject to regulatory and capacity approval, and will look for further growth opportunities in the country as trade between the UK and India increases, the airline said.

Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways, said: “The Free Trade Agreement with India will boost economic momentum between our two countries and British Airways really sits at the centre of that activity, acting as an enabler for increased trade.”

“As the airline that offers the biggest network of any European carrier into the North Atlantic, we also help connect India to the US and beyond, so when you add this factor into the mix, there’s a lot to be excited about for our two connected economies.”

The airline, which has operated in India for more than a century, is marking 20 years of service to Bangalore this month.

According to British Airways, in addition to a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi, the popular First cabin will also return on flights to Mumbai this month.

The latest business class Club Suite will be available on select services across all five Indian routes by the end of 2026.

The additional frequency aims to offer travellers to and from India greater choice and flexibility, whether visiting family, exploring new destinations, or travelling for business, the airline said.

Starmer said: “British Airways has been connecting the United Kingdom with India for more than a century – a symbol of the enduring partnership, and deep cultural and economic ties between our two nations.”

“As our landmark trade deal paves the way for new opportunities for businesses, our national flag carrier will play a critical role in strengthening trade links with India, boosting UK growth and helping deliver on our Plan for Change.”

British Airways has also launched a complimentary Meet and Assist service for customers who need extra support when flying from India to the UK. Since its introduction in March, about 5,500 passengers have used the service.

It is available at all five Indian airports served by the airline, with staff fluent in languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, and Tamil, trained specifically to provide this assistance.