The Punjabi community living in Australia, New Zealand, and other Southeast Asian countries will now have an unprecedented array of flight options, enabling them to fly directly from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International (SGRDJI) Airport to the holy city of Amritsar. This exciting development promises to enhance travel convenience for the Punjabi diaspora and open up new avenues for airlines seeking to serve this vibrant community.
Four prominent airlines – Batik Air, Air Asia X, Malaysia Airlines, and Scoot – have stepped up to offer direct flights from their respective hubs in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to Amritsar. Each of these airlines is in competition and is keen on tapping into the Punjabi diaspora to boost their businesses.
Starting on November 8, Malaysia Airlines is set to launch two weekly direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar. This move by Malaysia Airlines will connect Punjab to several cities across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, and more. These destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Auckland, Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila. This marks the third airline from Malaysia initiating operations to Amritsar, providing a total of 700 seats per week. Notably, Malaysia Airlines is also part of the Oneworld Alliance, which facilitates passenger-sharing with various airline carriers, including Qantas in Australia. The journey to cities in Australia and New Zealand can now be completed in just 15 to 17 hours.
To further enhance and improve connectivity for travelers, Singapore’s Scoot is adjusting its schedule during the winter season, which runs from November to the end of March. The updated schedule will see the Scoot flight arriving at Amritsar Airport at 9:05 am and departing for Singapore at 10:30 am. The airline operates its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on this route, with seating capacities ranging from 335 to 375, providing a total of 3,430 seats per week.
“The new flight timings will offer seamless connectivity for both inbound and outbound travelers to a wide network of destinations beyond Singapore,” stated Sameep Singh Gumtala, the convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative. He urged Punjabis to consider flying directly to Amritsar rather than opting for Delhi as a way to support all the new flights and make them a resounding success.
This development is a significant milestone for the Punjabi community living in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asian countries. The availability of multiple flight options to Amritsar opens up new opportunities for travel, trade, and cultural exchange, strengthening the ties between the Punjabi diaspora and their ancestral homeland. It is expected that these new flights will not only enhance the convenience of travel but also contribute to the socio-economic growth of the region. As these airlines compete for the attention of Punjabi travelers, it is likely that we will see more competitive pricing and enhanced services, making the dream of connecting with Amritsar a reality for many.
