Air India expands Asia footprint with new routes to Vietnam and Japan

Air India announced the launch of two new international routes as part of its continued expansion across Asia.

Delhi–Hanoi (starting 1 May 2026)
- Operates five times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun).
- Aircraft: Airbus A320neo with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.
- Adds over 7,000 seats per month to Vietnam.
- Complements daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, enabling flexible open-jaw itineraries (arrive in Hanoi, depart from Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa).
- Offers onward connections to Europe and the UK via Air India’s network.

Mumbai–Tokyo Haneda (starting 15 June 2026)
- Operates four times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun).
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
- Builds on the upgraded Delhi–Tokyo Haneda service, which now runs daily with the newer B787-9 featuring Premium Economy, modern interiors, WiFi, and refreshed menus.
- Strengthens Air India’s codeshare with ANA, giving access to six Japanese cities: Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo.

Travel Trends Driving Expansion
- Japan: Over 315,000 Indian visitors in 2025, a 35% jump from 2024 and nearly 80% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
- Vietnam: Ranked the third-most-visited country in Southeast Asia with 20 million visitors in 2025, popular for leisure and corporate travel (including MICE events).

Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer highlighted that these routes reflect India’s growing economic and cultural ties with both nations, while also catering to booming demand from Indian travelers.