Amritsar Airport Poised for Record Connectivity as Asian Airlines Boost Flights

The Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (SGRDJI) is preparing for a surge in international traffic this winter, with four major Asian carriers — Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot, and Thai Lion Air — announcing expanded schedules for the Winter 2025–26 season.

Running from November 2025 through March 2026, the new timetable marks one of the strongest phases of global connectivity for Amritsar in recent years. Collectively, the airlines will operate 40 weekly flights, up from 36, adding capacity to key hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bangkok. The combined operations will make available nearly 9,300 seats per week on direct routes, connecting Punjab more seamlessly to Southeast Asia and beyond.

Broader Access Across Asia-Pacific

The expanded services will allow travelers from northern India to enjoy one-stop connections to destinations across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, as well as convenient onward travel to Australia and New Zealand. This boost in frequency and connectivity means passengers can bypass lengthy transits through Delhi, opting instead for faster and more cost-effective journeys directly from Amritsar.

“The growing network from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bangkok highlights Amritsar’s increasing importance for travellers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana,” said Sameep Singh Gumtala, global convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, which advocates for better air connectivity to the region.

Airline Expansions in Detail

• Malaysia Airlines will continue its 14 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Amritsar. The carrier has been steadily strengthening its regional and long-haul network, recently launching a new Brisbane route (starting November 25) and expanding frequencies to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Auckland. Through its alliance with Qantas, passengers can conveniently reach every major Australian city.
• AirAsia, Malaysia’s leading low-cost airline, will ramp up its Kuala Lumpur–Amritsar service from six to eight weekly flights, offering travelers greater flexibility. The airline’s extensive network — alongside its long-haul partner AirAsia X — connects Amritsar passengers to major destinations across Asia and Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.
• Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will operate 10 weekly flights on its Singapore–Amritsar route using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Through its interline arrangement with Singapore Airlines, travelers from Amritsar will have access to a wide range of destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and North America, such as Auckland, Brisbane, Vancouver, and Calgary.
• Thai Lion Air will expand its Bangkok (Don Mueang)–Amritsar flights from six to eight per week, offering quick four-hour connectivity to Thailand. The Bangkok hub provides easy onward access to both tourist and business destinations including Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Bali, and major Asian centers like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

A Gateway Rising in the North

With these expansions, Amritsar is emerging as a vital international gateway for northern India, serving travelers from across the region who previously relied on larger airports like Delhi for global connections. The move reflects growing demand from the Punjabi diaspora and a renewed focus by Asian carriers on tier-II Indian cities with strong outbound traffic potential.

As the winter season approaches, SGRDJI’s enhanced flight roster not only strengthens Amritsar’s position on the aviation map but also promises to boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange across Asia-Pacific.