A significant step towards enhancing the air connectivity between India and Ireland was taken during External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar’s visit to Ireland.
The air connectivity is expected to further enhance trade and investments between the two sides. Besides education, the two countries have identified strong collaborations in various sectors including trade, information technology, and pharmaceuticals.
At University College Dublin, Dublin City Councillor Supriya Singh in her meeting with Jaishankar on March 6, 2025 raised the issue of establishing a direct flight between Dublin and New Delhi. This underscores the growing ties between the two nations.
In her discussion with Jaishankar, Singh highlighted the challenges faced by travellers due to the current 18-hour journey time involving layovers. She pointed out that London, in comparison, benefits from a direct flight that takes just 9.5 hours.
A direct air link, Singh reasoned, would be instrumental in boosting business, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, further strengthening the economic, educational, and cultural relationship between India and Ireland.
The minister while acknowledging the operational challenges faced by airlines, assured Singh that discussions regarding a direct route would continue. He committed to raising the issue with airlines and exploring viable options for such a connection. Ambassador Kevin Kelly also revealed that talks with Air India’s CEO were already in progress on the matter.
India’s Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra to Ireland was present during the discussion related to connectivity and deepening of ties between the two countries.
“I look forward to further developments and the possibility of a direct air route between Dublin and New Delhi in the near future, ” she said.
This call for enhanced connectivity highlights the increasing importance of the India-Ireland relationship and the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through improved transport and communication links.
The two countries are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations and over 100,000 Indians are living in that country represent the third largest immigrant groups there.
Over the past decade the student enrolment in Irish universities has increased tenfold — jumping from 700 in 2013 to over 7,000 in 2023, in 2024 the number has gone up to 10,000.
Ireland’s renewed Asia Pacific strategy, has positioned India as a key partner, and in 2019, Irish Consulate was opened in Mumbai indicating deepening of relations between the two countries.