At Cover Page Media, We bring you the latest updates from the travel world. Today’s update is an exciting one! It means Indians’ travel to Italy is way more easier and cheaper- how?
Air India has officially resumed non-stop flights between Delhi and Rome Fiumicino Airport, marking a significant expansion of its European network. The inaugural flight, AI123, departed from Delhi on March 25, 2026, at 1:32 PM IST and landed in Rome later that evening. This relaunch reconnects the capital cities of India and Italy after nearly six years and establishes Rome as Air India’s eighth gateway in mainland Europe and its second destination in Italy, following Milan.
The arrival was celebrated with ceremonial honors, including a traditional Indian lamp-lighting ceremony, cake-cutting, and a reception for the first passenger. Dignitaries present included Vani Rao, India’s Ambassador to Italy and San Marino, senior officials from the Embassy of India in Rome, and representatives from Aeroporti di Roma, the operator of Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Strategic Expansion in Mainland Europe
With the addition of Rome, Air India now operates non-stop services to eight cities in mainland Europe: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, Vienna, and Zurich. The Rome route is operated four times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft features a two-class configuration with 18 fully flat beds in Business Class and 241 spacious seats in Economy Class, enhancing passenger comfort on the long-haul route.
The flight schedule is designed to facilitate seamless onward connectivity through Air India’s Delhi hub to key destinations across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. This strengthens Delhi’s role as a major transit point for international travelers.
Strengthening India-Italy Ties
The relaunch of the Delhi-Rome route underscores the growing bilateral relationship between India and Italy. Bilateral trade crossed USD 14 billion in 2025, driven by collaboration in engineering, automotive, fashion, and design sectors. Italy is also home to over 200,000 people of Indian origin, contributing to sustained travel demand for both business and leisure.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India, emphasized the cultural and economic affinities between the two nations, stating that the new service will deepen people-to-people ties and support expanding business exchanges. Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma, welcomed the route as a strategic enhancement to Rome Fiumicino’s status as a leading Mediterranean hub with growing air links to Asia.
Part of Air India’s Broader Transformation
This route expansion is part of Air India’s five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI, launched after its return to the Tata Group in 2022. The airline is modernizing its fleet, having ordered 600 new aircraft, and is progressively refitting existing planes. The integration of Vistara into Air India in 2024 has further strengthened its international footprint.
The Rome service exemplifies Air India’s strategy to reclaim its position as a world-class global carrier while leveraging India’s rich heritage of hospitality. Bookings for the Delhi-Rome route are available via Air India’s website, mobile app, ticketing offices, and global travel agents.
What Does This Mean For Indian Travellers?
For Indian travelers, Air India’s resumption of direct flights from Delhi to Rome means significantly easier, faster, and more affordable access to Italy. Starting March 25, 2026, the non-stop service eliminates the need for layovers, reducing travel time by nearly 5 hours compared to connecting flights.
Indian tourists can now conveniently explore Rome’s iconic attractions—such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Roman Forum—with greater ease. The route also supports seamless onward travel to other popular destinations in Southeast Asia via Air India’s Delhi hub, including Bangkok, Singapore, and Colombo.
With fares starting at ₹49,999, the service makes Italy more accessible for leisure travelers, honeymooners, and families. It also benefits the over 200,000 members of the Indian diaspora in Italy, simplifying visits to family and relatives.
Additionally, business travelers gain improved connectivity to key Italian economic centers like Milan and Rome, supporting growing trade in sectors such as fashion, engineering, and pharmaceuticals.
At Cover Page Media, we want our readers to know all the latest updates to help them plan their vacations better. Would you consider a flight to Italy?
