Air India has announced that it will restart its non-stop flight services between Delhi and Rome, bringing back direct connectivity with the Italian capital after a gap of almost six years. The route is scheduled to resume operations from March 25, 2026, and will be operated four times a week. This move forms part of the airline’s carefully phased plan to restore long-haul international routes that were suspended during earlier years due to restructuring and aircraft availability constraints.
The Delhi–Rome service was originally discontinued in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced Air India to significantly scale back its international network. Global travel restrictions, weak passenger demand and mounting financial pressures led to the suspension of several overseas routes, including Rome, as the airline focused on conserving resources and maintaining essential operations.
Unlike some other European destinations, Rome did not see an early comeback once international travel began recovering. The delay was largely due to Air India undergoing a major transition following its privatisation and acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022. During this period, the airline undertook extensive network restructuring, fleet rationalisation and operational stabilisation. A shortage of wide-body aircraft and the decision to prioritise routes with stronger and more immediate demand further pushed the Rome service down the list for reinstatement.
The decision to relaunch the Rome route now reflects Air India’s gradual progress in rebuilding its long-haul international footprint. Over the past year, the airline has either restored or announced the return of several overseas routes that had remained grounded for prolonged periods. These include the planned resumption of non-stop Delhi–Shanghai flights in early 2026 after nearly six years, as well as the rebuilding of capacity on important routes to cities such as London, Tokyo and Seoul, which had previously seen frequency cuts.
With the revival of the Delhi–Rome service, Air India aims to offer seamless, non-stop travel between India and Italy, removing the need for passengers to rely on indirect connections through West Asian or European hubs. The airline also expects the route to strengthen onward connectivity via its Delhi hub, allowing travellers easier access to destinations across India, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Rome’s importance as a centre for tourism, higher education and business makes the return of a direct flight particularly significant. The restored service is expected to benefit both Indian and Italian passengers, while also supporting the growing cultural, educational and commercial exchanges between the two countries as air travel demand continues to recover.
