As Heathrow reaches a saturation point, there is news that new direct flights are expected to commence between Amritsar and London in early 2019, following discussions between London Luton Airport and a number of major Indian carriers.

2019is going to prove to be the year of Guru Nanak’s blessings for the Sikhs and Punjabis worldwide.London Luton after completion of a significant investment programme has a total population catchment that exceeds all other London airports (>22 million people). Also, nearly 80% of all Indian diaspora based within the UK, lives within 2 hours of the airport.

London Luton Airport is the 5th biggest in the United Kingdom, handling over 17 million passengers a year.

The airport is only 25 minutes on a high speed rail line to Central London, as well as having excellent road connections to the major Indian conurbations of West/East London, Luton and the Midlands (Birmingham, Leicester).

Following discussions, Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer for London Luton Airport, commented, “unsurprisingly we are receiving significant interest from Indian carriers and we remain very excited by the prospect of developing new services for the Indian market. With a very significant catchment of Indian diaspora living nearby, there is a fantastic opportunity to provide low-cost, direct services between London and Amritsar, making it easier for people to visit friends and relatives, or visit some of the many great sights that these cities have to offer”.

Hywel Rees, Principal for AMP Capital, a major shareholder of London Luton Airport also commented that “with an extensive transformation programme now completed at the airport, we look forward to welcoming new services from the Indian market, helping the local and surrounding communities fly direct to the destinations they’d like to, rather than having to connect through busy congested hubs”.

Hywel Rees, Tan Dhesi MP and Jonathan Pollard meet at WestminsterTanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, MP for Slough, who has been spearheading the campaign for British air connectivity with holy city Amritsar, was ecstatic about the progress and said, “after several attempts at meetings over the past year, I am very pleased that a much demanded, direct flight between London and Amritsar is now finally within sight. London is a global capital, while Amritsar is a global, spiritual and tourist destination visited by millions each year. Hence, it’s crucial that the two are connected once again and I’m sure these direct flights will be a great success.”

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Regular travellers the two cities are thrilled at the expected possibility.

London, 27 November 2018, WSN News Desk