Air India Resumes Non-Stop Delhi-Rome Flights from March 2026 After Six-Year Hiatus

Air India Re-establishes Direct Link to Italian Capital

Air India has officially announced the reintroduction of its non-stop flight services between Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO), also known as Fiumicino. The flights are scheduled to commence on March 25, 2026, marking the airline's return to the Italian capital after a hiatus of nearly six years.

The decision to resume the route, which was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was made public on December 24, 2025. This move is part of Air India's broader strategy to expand its international network and enhance connectivity between India and key global destinations.

Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details

The new service will operate four times a week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Air India will deploy its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft for this route. The aircraft features a configuration of 18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 seats in Economy Class, aiming to provide comfort and convenience for passengers.

The flight timings are set as follows (all times local):

• From March 25 to March 27, 2026:
• Flight AI123 will depart Delhi at 13:15 and arrive in Rome at 18:00.
• Return Flight AI122 will depart Rome at 19:50 and arrive in Delhi at 09:00 the following day.
• From March 29, 2026, onwards:
• Flight AI123 will depart Delhi at 13:15 and arrive in Rome at 18:55.
• Return Flight AI122 will depart Rome at 20:50 and arrive in Delhi at 09:00 the following day.

Strategic Importance and Connectivity

The resumption of the Delhi-Rome route is considered a strategically important development, reinforcing expectations for continued growth in long-haul markets. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, stated that 'Connecting India to more of the world remains one of our top priorities.' He highlighted the 'deep-rooted commonalities in culture, business and trade' between India and Italy, making Rome a 'natural addition to Air India's expanding network.'

For travelers from Italy, the direct flight to Delhi will offer seamless onward connections to various destinations across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phuket, and Singapore, via Air India's hub in Delhi. This service is also timed to cater to Indian travelers planning spring and summer holidays in Europe.

Industry and Economic Impact

Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer at Aeroporti di Roma, welcomed the announcement, noting that the new service addresses growing demand across key traffic segments and further strengthens economic and cultural ties between Italy and India. Italy is recognized as one of India's largest trading partners in Europe, and passenger traffic between the two nations continues to rise, supported by a significant Indian community in Italy and increasing interest among Indian travelers in Italian culture.

With the addition of Rome, Air India now serves eight points in mainland Europe and three destinations in the United Kingdom, further solidifying its presence in the European market.