Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Centre Plans Airline Talks on Calcutta’s London and European Links
The Centre plans to talk with airlines about bringing back direct flights from Calcutta to London and other European cities.
Calcutta previously had a direct London flight, but it stopped in 2009, returned in 2020, and stopped again in 2022.
The Centre also plans to develop four sites in Bengal for domestic flights.
Two are army airports that would get areas for civilian flights.
The state has joined a programme called Udan 2.0 to support airport development.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari also asked for more flights from Andal and Calcutta.
The minister said Behala airstrip could become a place to train pilots.
Separately, the state cabinet approved hiring 14,454 people in several departments.
Civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the Centre would discuss direct Calcutta flights to London and other European destinations with airlines.
The city’s direct London service was withdrawn in 2009, reintroduced in 2020, and withdrawn again in March 2022.
The Centre plans to develop airports at Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Chharra and Balurghat for domestic flights under Udan 2.0.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari requested more connections from Andal and Calcutta, and proposed developing Behala airstrip as a pilot-training centre.
The state cabinet approved recruiting 14,454 people; Adhikari also said appointment letters would be given to some recently selected constables on October 11.
- Who
- Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- What
- The Centre plans airline talks about direct European flights from Calcutta and airport development in Bengal.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Calcutta and proposed airport sites at Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Chharra and Balurghat in West Bengal.
- Why
- The Centre says it wants to restore Calcutta’s role as a hub for eastern India and expand air connectivity.
State government account
Previous government account
Why Bengal missed Udan 1.0 airport development
State government account
Suvendu Adhikari said the previous Trinamool Congress-led government did not join Udan 1.0 because it was unwilling to provide land, and said the state was deprived.
Previous government account
The article reports Adhikari’s accusation but gives no response from the previous government.
- Proposed international routes
- Direct flights from Calcutta to London and other European destinations
- Previous London service
- Withdrawn in 2009, reintroduced in 2020, and withdrawn in March 2022
- Proposed airport sites
- Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Chharra and Balurghat
- Udan 2.0 funding
- The minister said the Centre would spend ₹29,000 crore nationally on airport development over the next 10 years
- Additional airport proposal
- The state is working to develop a second airport at Kalyani in Nadia
- Recruitment approved
- The state cabinet approved a proposal to recruit 14,454 people across several departments
- Constable appointments
- Adhikari said appointment letters would be given to some of 12,000 recently selected constables on October 11