Air India launches direct flights to Rome, Amritsar residents elated

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 2

The launching of direct flights from the city to Rome by national carrier Air India for the months of February and March has been welcomed by residents. They have also urged the airline to continue these flights even after March 2021 as regular scheduled flights.

Last month, Air India had announced to launch direct flights from Amritsar to Rome on February 1, 11 and 21 and March 4, 14 and 24. The airline is operating its state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 256 seats (238 economy, 18 business) on this route. The same aircraft will return on the next day from Rome to Amritsar and then fly to Delhi. At present, the airline has opened booking for these flights only till March 25.

The inaugural flight for Rome took off from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on February 1 with 242 passengers. The flight originated from Delhi and then made a short halt at Amritsar airport to fly direct to Rome. A majority of the passengers boarded from Amritsar.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of FlyAmritsar Initiative, said, “Amid the pandemic and suspension of many international flights, the start of the new year has brought some good news for Punjabi diaspora in Italy.”

Gumtala thanked Air India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of India and Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for these flights as the direct flight would reduce travel time to just seven to eight hours. Rome has become the third destination in Europe to be directly connected with Amritsar after Heathrow (London) and Birmingham in the UK. All these destinations are currently served by Air India. Booking for direct flights to the UK is now open till the end of October 2021.