Petition launched for direct flights between Birmingham and Punjab

A campaign has been launched to lobby for direct flights between Birmingham and the Punjab in India.
At present the only way to get to Amritsar in northern India is via Heathrow Airport.
Now a petition, started by long-term campaigner Jas Sansi, is calling for the direct flight to be restored after it was cancelled by Air India in October 2008. The campaign has been backed by city council leader Mike Whitby.
Bilateral agreements between the Indian and UK governments currently restrict who can operate flights between the two countries.
After signing the petition, Coun Whitby vowed to support the campaign, starting with a visit to India to meet with the country’s civil aviation minister.
“There is little doubt that there is huge demand for flights to be reinstated from Birmingham to the Punjab,” he said.
“The connection is key to our status as a global city and the impact will bring long-term benefits to every citizen, business and community within the city regardless of ethnicity.”
Mr Sansi said the move would not only benefit the Indian community, but also the city as a whole and the environment.
27/10/09 Gregg Evans/Birmingham Mail, UK

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Categories: Air India - International Oct 2009, Airports Oct 2009, Foreign Oct 2009, NACIL Oct 2009