Airlines

British Airways Announces Resumption of Flights to Mainland China

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After a two-year absence, British Airways has announced it will resume flights between the UK and mainland China. Tickets have gone on sale today for flights to Shanghai from 23 April and Beijing from 3 June.

British Airways first flew to China in 1980 and continued to do so until the pandemic. The airline has been working hard to reintroduce these important routes to enable customers to reunite with family and friends.

From 23 April, flights will operate daily between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport – flight numbers BA168/BA169. From 3 June, flights will operate four times per week between London Heathrow and Beijing Daxing Airport – flight numbers BA88/89.

Noella Ferns, British Airways’ Head of Sales, Asia Pacific, said: “We can’t wait to welcome our customers back on board our flights from Shanghai and Beijing. We know they’ve been looking forward to reuniting with family and friends, coming to study in the UK, and resuming business between China and the UK. We have an incredibly rich history of flying to mainland China, having connected the two countries for more than 40 years. We look forward to resuming these routes again.”

Safety has always been at the heart of everything British Airways does and the airline has a number of measures in place at the airport and on board to look after the safety and well-being of our customers and crew. The air on all British Airways flights is fully recycled once every two to three minutes through HEPA filters, which remove microscopic bacteria and virus clusters with more than 99.9% efficiency, equivalent to hospital operating theatre standards. Additionally, British Airways always follows local regulations to ensure customers experience safe and smooth travel.

Flight Number	Day of week	Departure Airport	Departure Time	Arrival Airport	Arrival Time
London-Shanghai Service from 23^rd April 2023
BA169	Daily	London Heathrow	1225	Shanghai Pudong	0755^
BA168	Daily	Shanghai Pudong	1100	London Heathrow	1825
London-Beijing service from 3^rd June 2023
BA89	Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat	London Heathrow	1505	Beijing Daxing	0935^
BA88	Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun	Beijing Daxing	1120	London Heathrow	1730

Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.