Lok Sabha Question No. 1079 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Connectivity of Kolkata Airport to Europe and USA
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1079

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  5th February 2026 )

## CONNECTIVITY OF KOLKATA AIRPORT TO EUROPE AND USA

1079.    DR. KAKOLI GHOSH DASTIDAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that there are no direct flights from Kolkata to Europe or the United States of America (USA) and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) the number of direct flights from all metropolitan cities to Europe or the USA, airlinewise;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to incentivise Kolkata to Europe and the USA routes to enhance air connectivity; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION                (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (d) At present, there are no direct flights operations from Kolkata to Europe and the United States of America (USA).

The  international  operations  of  airlines  are  governed  by  the  bilateral  Air  Services Agreement (ASA) between India and the respective country. In accordance with the ASA, Indian designated carriers are free to mount operations to/from any point in India including Kolkata  to  foreign  destinations  as  per  mutually  agreed  capacity  limits,  while  any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call in the ASA with that country.

The  airline-wise  details  of  direct  flights  operating  from  metropolitan  cities  in  India  to Europe and the USA are at Annexure.

The start of direct international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision  of  scheduled  airlines  on  the  basis  of  passenger  demand,  availability  of  slots, economic viability of the route and other associated factors. The Government does not interfere in the operational plans of the airlines.

## Annexure

Operations by Indian and Foreign Carriers to/from the metropolitan cities* to/from USA and Europe (including UK):

|   S. No. | Name of the Airlines           |   Services/week |
|----------|--------------------------------|-----------------|
|        1 | Air India                      |             156 |
|        2 | Indigo                         |              46 |
|        3 | Air France                     |              27 |
|        4 | American Airlines              |               7 |
|        5 | United Airlines                |               7 |
|        6 | Belavia                        |               1 |
|        7 | British Airways                |              56 |
|        8 | Virgin Atlantic Airways        |              39 |
|        9 | Finnair                        |               7 |
|       10 | ITA Airways                    |               7 |
|       11 | KLM Airlines                   |              28 |
|       12 | Lufthansa                      |              54 |
|       13 | Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A |               7 |
|       14 | Swiss International Airlines   |              14 |
|       15 | Turkish Airlines               |              14 |
|       16 | Air Canada                     |               4 |