Jet to start direct flights from Amritsar to London

Come June 28, and Jet Airways will start six direct Amritsar-London flights a week from the Rajasansi International Airport.

The service is specially aimed at Punjabi NRIs and there will be daily flights except on Tuesday. The airport has already allotted a slot to Jet Airways, which will be operating Boeing 747 aircraft on this route.

The Rajasansi International Airport is the only international airport in Punjab and in recent times it has emerged as a very important origin and destination point for natives of the state settled in Europe and America.

Experts says nearly half the passenger traffic from the state to Europe, US and Canada on Air India preferred to travel from Amritsar.

No doubt the NRI population of Punjab will bring a major chunk of business for Jet Airways. Besides, it will facilitate travel for a substantial number of people of the state who visit London every year.

At present, there is no direct flight to London and three airlines -- Uzebekistan, Air Slovakia and Turkemenistan -- operate flights to London from here and passengers have to go via Arab countries or Russia. The direct flight will take about nine hours to reach London, compared with 12-15 hours now.

According to a Jet Airways spokesperson, "In keeping with our endeavour to introduce newer and innovative ways to provide our passengers with the finest flying experience, we are starting non-stop flights between Amritsar and London. We will offer three class configurations of premiere, premium economy and economy."

He further said, "The fare has not been finalised yet, but it will certainly be cheaper than that of other airlines. We will also introduce promotional fares."