A new budget airline operating out of India has taken off from Mumbai today and is making its way to Manchester on a ten-hour journey. IndiGo's flight 6E0031 took off today at 4.25am local time and is due to land at around 10am Manchester time. After landing in the UK, it will begin its return trip, touching down at 1.55am local time. The new flight route marks the first direct trip available to passengers between the Indian city and the north of England.

The airline, which has been dubbed the "Ryanair of India" by The Telegraph, has been in operation since 2006 but has just embarked on its first India to UK route. The new route uses Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic Airways. The Manchester flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline, which aims to become a "global player" in aviation, also launched a Mumbai to Amsterdam route.

Fares between Mumbai and Manchester will start at around £426 for a return journey in economy. Those who book onto IndiGo's business class will look at paying more than £800 for a return journey.

IndiGo boss Pieter Elbers commented: "We're on our way to becoming a global aviation player. We will offer very competitive fares."

"IndiGo's long-haul foray marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion journey," he said in a press release. "We are very proud as well as excited to open the sale of our first long-haul service connecting Mumbai with Manchester, a very special route in many ways. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're thrilled to announce that specially crafted complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route."

Elbers hopes to boost tourism between the UK and India with this new flight route.

He added: "The new route will provide seamless connection to a vast majority of 90+ Indian destinations on IndiGo's domestic network, benefiting customers travelling from Manchester to Mumbai. This service by IndiGo will thereby further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, fostering stronger economic, educational, and cultural ties. Beyond supporting the growing Indian diaspora in the region, these direct flights are expected to boost two-way tourism, ease travel for students, professionals and leisure travellers, and unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and collaboration between the two countries."

The planes used for these flights have 282 economy seats and 56 IndiGo Stretch seats, which is the airline's premium economy offering. All passengers will be offered complimentary meals onboard.

Additionally, one checked bag is included in all fares. "This route makes us the only Northern airport with a direct connection to India and cements our position as one of Europe's best-connected airports," said Manchester Airport's managing director, Chris Woodroofe.

He said: "It will link the region to the world's fastest-growing economy, opening up even stronger trade and investment opportunities. It will connect half a million people with Indian heritage who live in Manchester Airport's catchment area to family and friends, and it will capitalise on the wide-ranging cultural and economic ties that exist."