Amritsar: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s demand for resumption of international flights from Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, Amritsar, to facilitate Punjabi diaspora has found support in the region.
The area residents feel that the airport has been meted out a raw deal and a number of key international flights were either withdrawn or discontinued over the last one decade.
The airport, which boasts of an impressive infrastructure, has witnessed withdrawal of various international flights in the past.
Air India had sprung a surprise by discontinuing its Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight, which was termed by many as the most successful flight in the national carrier’s history. The flight, which used to register over 90 per cent occupancy, was withdrawn on October 31, 2010.
British Midland International pulled out its Amritsar-Almaty-London flight in October 2012. Prior to it, Air India had suspended its Amritsar-Toronto flight. Singapore Airlines had launched thrice a week Amritsar-Singapore flight on October 1, 2004. The service was discontinued in 2009.
Later, Jet Airways launched its Amritsar-London flight only to withdraw it after some time. All these flights facilitated a crucial air link to NRIs from Punjab, a majority of who live in the US, UK and Canada.
At present Turkmenistan (Tashkent), Uzbekistan (Ashgabat), Qatar (Doha) and Air India Express (Dubai) are the only international flights available from Amritsar airport.
19/07/15 Tribune India
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The area residents feel that the airport has been meted out a raw deal and a number of key international flights were either withdrawn or discontinued over the last one decade.
The airport, which boasts of an impressive infrastructure, has witnessed withdrawal of various international flights in the past.
Air India had sprung a surprise by discontinuing its Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight, which was termed by many as the most successful flight in the national carrier’s history. The flight, which used to register over 90 per cent occupancy, was withdrawn on October 31, 2010.
British Midland International pulled out its Amritsar-Almaty-London flight in October 2012. Prior to it, Air India had suspended its Amritsar-Toronto flight. Singapore Airlines had launched thrice a week Amritsar-Singapore flight on October 1, 2004. The service was discontinued in 2009.
Later, Jet Airways launched its Amritsar-London flight only to withdraw it after some time. All these flights facilitated a crucial air link to NRIs from Punjab, a majority of who live in the US, UK and Canada.
At present Turkmenistan (Tashkent), Uzbekistan (Ashgabat), Qatar (Doha) and Air India Express (Dubai) are the only international flights available from Amritsar airport.
19/07/15 Tribune India
