Punjabi diaspora says CM Mann ignoring demand for direct Canada-Amritsar flights

AMRITSAR: Following Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann pushed for more direct flights from Mohali Airport to countries including Canada and United States, the Punjabi diaspora has showed disappointment over CM’s move.

They said that CM’s move will reverse the progress made towards the long-pending demand to began air service from Amritsar airport to Canada and US.

Holding a meeting with state civil aviation department, CM directed officials to immediately tie up with the Union ministry of civil aviation and airport authority for commencing direct international flights from Mohali airport, especially to Canada, US and the UK to facilitate NRIs.

Perturbed over the decision, diaspora settled abroad, Avtar Singh, a community activist based in Birmingham, UK, said that they have no option if flights stat from Mohali but it should not be done at the cost of Amritsar airport.

Similarly, Canada-based Anantdeep Singh Dhillon said that Punjab only holds 24.5% stake along with Haryana while 51% stake holds by Union civil aviation ministry. They have been working tiredness for past many years to start direct international flight from Amritsar to Canada, US and other countries.

Currently, direct flights are operated to Qatar, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and UK from Amritsar airport.