Seminar discusses potential of int’l airport to boost state economy

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 26

Experts from diverse fields shared their view in a seminar on the “Emergence of Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport as potential booster for state economy” here today. They were unanimous in their opinion on public participation to increase flight connectivity from the city.

The seminar was organised by the NGO, Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM). Airport director Venkateswara Rao thanked the NGO for holding the seminar and providing details on the expansion, future master plan of the airport, besides new airlines that were going to start from Amritsar.

Representatives of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Qatar, Malindo, Air India, SpiceJet and Jet Airways also participated in the seminar.

Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala of the AVM said the Amritsar airport had a great potential for direct international flights to the US, Canada, Europe and Australia due to its religious and historical importance. More than five million Sikhs and Punjabis were living in these countries and they would always prefer Amritsar for their inward and outward journey, he added.

He said in the last couple of months Malaysia’s Malindo Airways started direct flight between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar, SpiecJet introduced Dubai-Amritsar-Dubai and Singapore’s Scoot Airline had announced to start Singapore-Amritsar flight from the coming summer season.

Many other airlines such as Turkish Airline and Fly Jet from Bulgaria have shown keen interest in starting their air service from Amritsar airport.

Dr Gumtala said Qatar Airlines was also willing to put bigger plane on the Amritsar-Doha sector, but the Civil Aviation Ministry was not permitting more seats.

Airport director Venkateswara Rao was felicitated for his efforts to promote Amritsar airport among airlines. Gagan Malik, general manager, airport projects and Naveen Kumar, commercial manager, were presented guest of honour award. Dinesh Kumar airport manager and Randhir Singh from Air India were also felicitated on the occasion.

Earlier, Hardeep Singh Chahal and Daljit Singh Kohli, general secretary and president, AVM, respectively, introduced and welcomed the guests. Dr Balwinder Singh, professor Sri Guru Ram Das School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, gave a presentation on the Amritsar heritage and how it could be used for tourism.

Sameep Singh Gumtala, director, Global Connections, gave a presentation on the past, present and future of the Amritsar airport, overview of various flights and connections, besides highlighting the role and achievements of the AVM.

Dr Sukhdev Singh, president, INTACH Punjab, requested airlines to start direct flights to Birmingham. Harjap Singh Aujla, patron of the AVM, USA, requested various airlines, including Air India and Jet Airways, to provide better connectivity for international passengers, especially late evening to midnight from Delhi to Amritsar. He asked Jet Airways to start direct flight from Amritsar to Abu Dhabi as announced after the Jet-Etihad deal in 2013.

He said nearly 45 per cent passengers at Delhi airport were Punjabis. Therefore, Amritsar airport had potential of having nearly 100 flights per day. Gagan Malik provided details on how the Airport Authority of India provided different facilities and infrastructure for airlines.