Tag Archives: Amritsar

Vande Bharat likely to be extended to Jammu

 

The Ministry of Railways is considering extending the Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat Express train to Jammu, following the decision to establish a separate Jammu railway division. Sources indicate that an official announcement regarding the extension could be made on January 26. The move comes over a year after the train was inaugurated, offering improved connectivity between Amritsar and Delhi.

With the creation of the Jammu division, approximately 742 km of the Ferozepur division, including key routes such as Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur and Batala-Pathankot, will come under its jurisdiction. This restructuring will significantly reduce the area managed by the Ferozepur division, paving the way for better administrative efficiency.

The Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat Express currently has a seating capacity of 530, divided between the chair car and executive class. The eight-coach train, known for its advanced features and reduced travel time of 5.30 hours, will also undergo an expansion in coaches to accommodate more passengers. Running six days a week, the train halts at major stations like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Ambala.

A “Make in India” initiative, the Vande Bharat Express operates without traditional locomotives, featuring advanced technology that converts electric power into mechanical energy. This modern system ensures efficient and sustainable operations, solidifying its status as a flagship offering of Indian Railways.

The Chandigarh Airport is the gateway to Punjab and Haryana.

Operations of flights purely a commercial decision by airlines, Centre in reply to HC

In response to a Punjab and Haryana High Court question on why there are just two international flights from the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali, the Centre has said that it does not interfere in commercial operations of airlines and that the airlines are free to choose markets and destinations within the ambit of Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) between India and another country, reports The Hindustan Times.

“Commercial operations of airlines are deregulated, and the Government does not regulate or interfere with the operational plans of the airlines. Accordingly, the airlines are free to select whatever markets and networks they wish to service and operate within the ambit of BASA (based on which seat capacity etc. is decided),” an affidavit by V Vualnam, secretary, ministry of civil aviation, Government of India, stated.

“There is also no explanation from the Chandigarh International Airport Authority Limited as to why there are only two international flights from Chandigarh (UT and capital of two prosperous states) on a daily basis… It is unfortunate to note that even a district headquarter like Amritsar has more than 14 international flights to various countries,” the court had observed while seeking affidavit from the Aviation Secretary.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), pending since December 2015, when it was approached by the Mohali Industries Association, alleging lack of facilities at the airport. Since then, the HC has been monitoring the progress of various projects at the airport.

Inaugurated on September 15, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new terminal has been built at an estimated cost of INR 1,400 crore. While initially, there were only 40-odd flights, the number has now gone up to 90, including two to international destinations — Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The Hon’able court may also kindly note than any operation of the international flight from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of the airline on the basis of the economic viability of the route, traffic demand, slot availability and other associated factors,” the aviation secretary said, adding that India has open sky arrangements for bilateral air services with a number of countries including USA and UK, whereby foreign designated carriers may operate to/ from any point in India, which includes Chandigarh.

As per the officer, Indian carriers were asked about plans to start international flights from Chandigarh, but the airlines responded in the negative. The airlines told the Centre that they do not have any immediate plans to add any more international flights to/from Chandigarh in addition to the existing operational international schedule but would evaluate feasibility in the future.

On the issue of steps taken by it for increasing international flights, the Punjab government has said that it had requested Centre in 2019 to include Chandigarh in the list of cities covered under Open Sky Policy for Airlines from ASEAN countries, which liberalises travel to the notified cities without restriction of reciprocatory/ or the need for bi-lateral agreements. However, the Centre has not included the Chandigarh airport in that list. Follow-up letters were also written but the Centre has not yielded.

In one of the letters written in 2022, on the issue in response to the demand raised by the state government in that year, the Centre told the state government that India has an open sky agreement with the United Kingdom, which permits designated carriers to operate seven services per week to and from any non-metro airport and Chandigarh is also in the list of such airports. In the same letter, the Centre also said that Chandigarh is not available as a point of call for Canada and thus, Canadian carriers cannot operate direct flights to and from Chandigarh, the affidavit from Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Secretary, Department of Civil Aviation, said. (Source: Hindustan Times)

 

Air India Express expands Amritsar connectivity

 

Air India Express is set to launch direct flights from Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ) to Bengaluru (BLR) and Bangkok (BKK) starting December 27, 2024. These new routes will be operated four times weekly using the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, enhancing travel convenience for both business and leisure travellers. This initiative significantly boosts Punjab’s air connectivity network while creating seamless travel corridors to South India and Southeast Asia.

The Bengaluru flight will depart at 5:55 AM and land in Amritsar at 9:20 AM, with the return flight leaving at 11:30 PM and arriving in Bengaluru at 2:45 AM. Meanwhile, the Bangkok service departs from Amritsar at 10:40 AM and lands at 5:00 PM local time. The return flight from Bangkok departs at 6:00 PM and arrives in Amritsar at 9:30 PM, offering passengers a convenient and time-efficient travel option.

This expansion has been widely praised by the FlyAmritsar Initiative, with Global Convener Sameep Singh Gumtala calling it a New Year gift for Punjab. The direct routes are expected to attract more tourists, foster trade, and strengthen cultural exchange between Punjab, South India, and Thailand, making Amritsar a growing aviation hub.

By eliminating layovers, these connections reduce travel time and costs, providing travellers with more efficient options. The enhanced connectivity also positions Amritsar as a pivotal link for domestic and international travel, creating new opportunities for tourism, commerce, and community engagement.

A file photo of Malaysia Airlines' aircraft

Malaysia Airlines to resume Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata flights on Dec 2

Malaysia Airlines will restart direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kolkata from December 2 as the carrier boosts its services to India.

Currently, the airline connects Kuala Lumpur directly with nine Indian cities — New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Trivandrum and Ahmedabad.

Five weekly flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata route starting from December 2, the airline said in a release on Tuesday.

Malaysia Airlines stopped direct flights to Kolkata in 2006.

With the recommencement of the Kuala Lumpur-Kolkata services, the airline will offer 76 weekly flights between India and Malaysia.

Currently, the carrier operates 71 weekly flights to India. The flights to Amritsar were increased from four per week to daily in August.

“India is a key market for us, and by continually enhancing our network and increasing frequencies, we aim to deliver exceptional travel experiences, complemented by Malaysia Airlines’ renowned hospitality,” Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, CEO of Airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said. (Source: PTI)

 

Goa Tourism Wins Best Pavilion Award at ITM Amritsar 2024

Goa Tourism celebrated a significant achievement at the India Travel Mart (ITM) Amritsar 2024 by winning the Best Pavilion Award. Ajay Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director of India Travel Mart, presented the award to Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), and Rodlin Mascarenhas, Assistant Director of the Department of Tourism, Goa.

Goa’s pavilion stood out with an engaging display of the state’s rich cultural heritage, regenerative tourism initiatives, and diverse travel experiences. Its vibrant representation and commitment to sustainable tourism captivated visitors and industry leaders alike.
Speaking on the occasion, Suneel Anchipaka, Director of Tourism, IAS, remarked, “Winning the Best Pavilion Award is a testament to Goa Tourism’s dedication to continuously elevating our tourism offerings. ITM Amritsar has provided a valuable platform for us to engage with industry leaders, share our vision of regenerative tourism, and promote Goa as a destination that balances growth with sustainability.”

Upon receiving the award, Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, GTDC said, “This accolade is a reflection of our collective efforts to present Goa as a destination that offers not only scenic beauty but also innovative and sustainable tourism solutions. Under the Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan Khaunte’s vision to promote Goa Beyond Beaches, we are committed to showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage, diverse experiences, and regenerative tourism practices.”

Malaysia Airlines eyes expansion into India, calls the country ‘very important market’

Malaysia Airlines, part of the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), views India as a crucial market for growth. The airline currently operates flights to nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi. It also services Ahmedabad and Trivandrum with four weekly flights each.

The airline is keen to expand its footprint in India, looking to increase frequencies to Trivandrum and Ahmedabad. Additionally, Malaysia Airlines is exploring new destinations within the country. Group Managing Director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail emphasised the importance of the Indian market, attributing the airline’s enthusiasm to India’s robust economic movement.

Currently, Malaysia Airlines operates 71 weekly flights to India. The frequency to Amritsar was recently increased from four to seven flights per week. Despite these plans, the airline has faced operational challenges, including supply chain issues and manpower constraints. As a result, it has temporarily reduced its network until December.

Malaysia Airlines to expand non-metro cities network in India, plans to double flights to Ahmedabad and Trivandrum

India set to become global aviation hub as fleet and passenger numbers hit new heights

Malaysia Airlines has established a codeshare partnership with IndiGo and interline agreements with Air India and Vistara. These partnerships facilitate seamless travel for passengers and expand the airline’s reach to destinations not directly served by Malaysia Airlines.

India’s civil aviation market is one of the fastest-growing globally. The bilateral flying rights between India and Malaysia predominantly cover metro routes, but there are opportunities for increased services to non-metro cities, where there are fewer restrictions.

Ismail expressed optimism about overcoming current operational difficulties and reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to strengthening its presence in India by 2025. MAG’s diverse business segments, including airlines, loyalty and travel solutions, and aviation services, support its strategic expansion goals.