SpiceJet to start early morning New Delhi-Amritsar flight
Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 17
Popular Amritsar-Delhi air route is all set to get its ninth daily flight as budget airline SpiceJet is expected to start flight from May 10.
Already, three airlines collectively operate eight flights daily on this route. The national carrier, Air India and Jet Airways operate three flights each daily. Presently, SpiceJet is flying two flights daily.
Gunbir Singh of Amritsar Tourism Outreach said, “Additional flights on the domestic sector are indeed welcome. Similarly, there is demand for more international connections. More domestic options will keep fares at reasonable levels therefore supporting the surge of pilgrims and tourists coming to the Golden Temple.”
He said it indicated that there was a rise in tourism, besides the sector was financially viable for airlines like Delhi-Mumbai sector.
“Demand of passengers to fly on Amritsar-Delhi sector is good and airlines on average get Rs 3,800 upward per seat,” he added.
He said NRIs were keen for air connectivity with Amritsar. “However, international connectivity with the Amritsar airport is limited. NRIs do not have any other option, but to land at Delhi airport,” he added.
Apart from these, there are a plenty of other reasons making the circuit popular among passengers. A large number of Sikh populace resides in Delhi and surrounding areas. They visit the city to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
As wholesale market of trading merchandise is situated in the national Capital, traders also constitute a major chunk of fliers.
Meanwhile, tour and travel operators opine that the route experiences high traffic despite the six day connectivity through the 18 trains with Delhi. Besides, 15 more trains, which run on selected days of the month, also connect the holy city with the Capital. They said advance bookings on all trains to Delhi always remained on the higher side thus leaving no vacant seats.
