INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - JULY 2006
THE MONTH THAT WAS...

JET FLAGS OFF FLIGHT FROM AMRITSAR TO LONDON

JET Airways announced the launch of a direct flight from Amritsar 's Rajasansi airport to London 's Heathrow from August 4. At a press meet held here on Wednesday, Jet Airways CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said it will be a thrice-a-week service — on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. “Though it is difficult to find the exact number of air-passengers from Punjab to England , but as per our estimates 37% of the total traffic of Delhi to England comprises Punjabi travellers,” said Mr Schauer. The Airbus plane that will be used on this route will have 196 and 30 seats in the economy and executive class, respectively.

The company announced that a direct flight from Chandigarh to Mumbai will also start shortly. Navaid Desai, senior general manager, north India said: “The flight will be starting from September 6.” As regards any international flight from Chandigarh , he said the city airport needed to be upgraded before any such plans are made.

Mr Desai said Jet Airways will be launching a direct international flight between New York and Delhi in the summer of 2007. The company is planning to introduce flights connecting India to Singapore , South Africa and China . But is the company satisfied with the status of international airport at Amritsar ? “We are very happy with the new terminal facilities that have been built at the Rajasansi airport. The conditions are much better now,” he said.

The mood in Amritsar is upbeat about the start of this flight. .