Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP from Slough, UK, met Transport Minister for Aviation, International and Security Baroness Vere in Parliament at Westminster, UK to commence London to Amritsar flights.During the meeting, Tan Dhesi MP highlighted the demand by diaspora and potential for direct flights from this important route, as well as to gain the tourism, cultural and trade benefits that London-Amritsar flights could bring in the country. He apprised the minister that in May 2019, Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India announced that the most searched for air route between India and Europe with direct service was Amritsar-Heathrow."This is the latest meeting with Parliamentarians, after the launch of the London-Amritsar flights campaign in Britain in 2018. The initiative has gained cross party support and global media coverage since calls for this route began", said Dhesi.During the meeting the British MP has informed the minister that with over 1,00,000 people visiting Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar from across the world every day, London is the ideal global hub for those visiting or living in the UK travelling onto Amritsar, with approximately a million Punjabi diaspora living in the UK.
He further added that passenger numbers at Amritsar have also been rising dramatically; recently it was found to be the fastest growing airport in India in 2018, showing the demand to travel to this popular destination is increasing.Dhesi continues to campaign and discuss this issue in Parliament, engaging with airports and international airlines internationally to ensure this much needed route opens.Tanmanjeet Dhesi said, “Direct flights between London and Amritsar are vital in connecting the world to this cultural, tourist and spiritual destination. When meeting the Aviation Minister, I highlighted the consistent demand from the Punjabi diaspora and others regarding a direct flights along this route, as well as the immense trade and tourism benefits this could bring to the UK. I will continue to raise this issue in Parliament as well as with Indian ministers, so that direct London to Amritsar flights become a great success".He has also thanked the 'Fly Amritsar Initiative' for their assistance in this important project and providing the presentation shown to the minister. In this meeting Baroness Vere said it was good to meet Tan Dhesi and discuss the campaign for direct flights between London and Amritsar. She assured that she would look forward to explore further the trade and tourism potential this route could bring to the UK and also to the Punjabi diaspora worldwide.