Come March, airport to get ninth flight to Delhi, second to Mumbai

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 19

Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar is all set to get the ninth daily flight to Delhi and second to Mumbai in March.

IndiGo will operate a daily non-stop flight between Amritsar and Delhi, besides the holy city and Mumbai from March 16. Aditya Ghosh, president and whole time director, IndiGo, said, both corporate and leisure customers travelling from Amritsar would now have an opportunity to experience hassle-free and on-time services of the airlines. IndiGo has also inducted two brand new Airbus A320 NEO aircraft into its existing fleet this month.

The popularity of Amritsar-Delhi route can be gauged from the fact that already three airlines are collectively operating eight flights daily on this route.

The national carrier, Air India and Jet Airways operate three flights each daily, besides SpiceJet is flying two daily flights on the route. An industrialist, Kamal Dalmia, said, “There is invariably high traffic between Amritsar and Delhi as all branches of trades deal with their peers in Delhi.” Besides, a huge Sikh and Punjabi population with ties in Amritsar is settled in Delhi, he added.

Traders dealing in dry fruits, cereals, food, FMCG, readymade garments, spices and other products travel between Amritsar and Delhi frequently.

Gunbir Singh of Amritsar Tourism Outreach said, “The demand of passengers to fly on Amritsar-Delhi sector is good. On an average an airlines gets Rs 3,800 upward per seat.” He anticipates that now fares would be more competitive after the arrival of one more airline. He said, “Its attractive pricing offer of Rs 1,450 per seat in the beginning will help reduce travel cost.”

There are plenty of other reasons, which make the circuit popular among passengers. A large number of Sikh populace resides in Delhi and the surrounding areas. They frequently visit the city to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Similar is the case with Mumbai. This circuit also provides convenient access to Sikh pilgrims, who come here from around the world and also travel to Nanded Sahib, the seat of one of the five holiest Takhts, which is near Mumbai.