IAG Cargo has announced its 2026/2027 winter schedule, introducing a new direct service between London Gatwick and Colombo, alongside higher frequencies to Bangkok and Delhi, running from October 2026 through to March 2027.
The move strengthens IAG Cargo's position on key Asian trade lanes at a time when demand for capacity between Europe, North America and Asia remains a central concern for freight forwarders planning their shipments.
The New Colombo Service
According to Aviation Business News, IAG Cargo will operate three weekly services between London Gatwick and Colombo, Sri Lanka. The service is designed to support the movement of key Sri Lankan exports, including garments, perishables, rubber products, tyres and automotive components.
FlightGlobal reports that the passenger service underpinning this route launched on 23 October 2026, operated by British Airways with a three-class cabin configuration. IAG Cargo will use the belly capacity on these flights to carry freight.
The Colombo service will also connect customers to onward destinations across IAG Cargo's wider international network, covering Europe and the Americas, according to Aviation Business News.
Bangkok and Delhi Frequencies Rise Sharply
The winter schedule brings a significant capacity uplift on two existing Asian routes. Frequencies between London Gatwick and Bangkok will double from three to six flights per week, while services between London Heathrow and Delhi have already increased from 14 to 21 flights per week, a change that took effect in September, as Aviation Business News notes.
The doubling of Bangkok frequencies in particular represents a substantial bet on south-east Asian trade volumes during the winter period.
What IAG Cargo's Chief Sales Officer Said
Camilo Garcia Cervera, chief sales and marketing officer at IAG Cargo, said the schedule is focused on giving customers the capacity and connectivity they need. "The introduction of Colombo, alongside additional services to Bangkok and Delhi, strengthens trade connections between Asia and key markets worldwide," he said, as quoted by Aviation Business News.
Garcia Cervera added that, combined with the group's North American network and wider winter capacity, "these changes give freight forwarders greater choice and flexibility when planning their shipments."
Transatlantic Network Holds Steady
Beyond Asia, IAG Cargo's transatlantic offering remains extensive. According to Aviation Business News, the winter schedule maintains services to 29 destinations across North America, operated from London, Dublin, Madrid and Barcelona.
That breadth of Atlantic coverage gives IAG Cargo a competitive platform for goods moving between Europe and North America throughout the winter season.
British Airways' Wider Winter Expansion
The cargo developments sit within a broader British Airways winter expansion. FlightGlobal reports that BA is also launching flights to Melbourne, Australia, via Kuala Lumpur from 9 January 2027, adding a second Australian destination to its network. The Melbourne service offers a four-class configuration covering World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World and First cabins.
BA is additionally expanding capacity to 11 long-haul destinations, including Bridgetown, Cape Town, Kingston, San Jose and Tokyo, according to FlightGlobal. The airline is also introducing its first retrofitted Airbus A380 alongside several new aircraft deliveries during the season.
Across its short-haul network, BA is increasing frequencies to Florence, Gothenburg, Jersey and Rome, and subsidiary BA Euroflyer is launching twice-weekly flights between London Gatwick and Rovaniemi in Finland from 4 December 2026 to 4 January 2027.
Why Sri Lanka Matters for Air Freight
Sri Lanka's export profile makes Colombo a logical addition for a cargo-focused carrier. Garments, perishables and automotive parts all benefit from the speed and reliability of air freight, and a direct link to London Gatwick gives Sri Lankan exporters access to IAG Cargo's onward European and American network.
For readers tracking the broader South Asian and Latin American connectivity picture, our Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport guide illustrates how hub connectivity shapes trade flows at a major gateway. You can also explore carrier networks using the Airline Search tool.
The Bottom Line
IAG Cargo's 2026/2027 winter schedule marks a meaningful step up in Asian capacity. A brand-new Colombo route, doubled Bangkok frequencies and a significant Delhi uplift give freight forwarders materially more options on routes that carry some of the world's most time-sensitive cargo.
The question for the coming months is whether demand volumes justify the added seat capacity, and whether the new Colombo route establishes itself strongly enough to survive beyond the winter season.
Continue to follow The Aviation Hub for more analysis and insight.
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