amritsar internationl airport getting very active

indiansitar

From 3 flights to 56, Amritsar airport is ready for take-off
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_s...ontent_id=70062

Just a few years ago, it was a one-plane stop.

But now, Rajasansi Airport is fast becoming a buzzing hub of international action—and getting a new look, too.

With Air-India starting its Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto-Amritsar service on May 15, the number of flights will go up to 56 a week—a big leap from a mere three in 1997. [ full story ]

I think this should be the entry point for all those interested in Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir ( Delhi could be history !)

shere

The current airport can barely handle the current flights. the facilities are non existant and for some reason building work on the new airport has been stopped as some plonker wants a complete change to the design of the new airport building even though the new building was near completion.

If things get moving at Amritsar and flights increase it will cut down the number of passengers flyying to Delhi as most Punjabis will opt for a flight to Amritsar.

Would have been better if Chandigarh airport had been developed instead of Amritsar as it catchment area would be better (Haryana, Himachal, Punjab, Jammu).

indiansitar

quoting from the article

‘‘It was inevitable,’’ says V N Sharma, a city-based international tour operator. ‘‘The IGI airport receives an average of 16 to 18 million passengers a year, half of whom are Punjabis. They would definitely prefer landing in the Holy City instead of distant Delhi.”

this is the new url http://www.indianexpress.com/full_st...ent_id=7006 2

Yes, most ( all ? ) Indian airports including Delhi are awful , but hopefully they have good plans if they are going to spend 80 crore rupees.

Main thing - what entry options from Amritsar to Himachal and Kashmir ?

Rajasthan ?

shere

That is probably why the Delhi babus want to delay the upgrade of Amritsar airport. The loss of 7-8 million passengers will adversely impact on the Delhi economy and the economy of Haryana.

You could head for Pathankot from Amritsar then head towards Dalhousie, Chamba etc

Not checked my Punjab map but you could head towards Bikaner, Ganganagar etc easily from Punjab. Most roads in Punjab are being upgraded so the drive should be ok.

-m2-

Good news.

Amritsar is a Singapore Airline destination so it will be offering a great option to travellers from north america, both as a more hassle-free arrival city, as well as a useful gateway to the north. It also will present some terrific open-jaw ticket possibilities that can save considerable back-tracking, as SIA has several destinations in south India as well as the usual DEL BOM CCA ones.

cyberhippie

An Iranian company were also flying the Amritsar-Birmingham route last year I hope this will help to stabilize prices to the Sub-Continent!!
The prices were very high last year!!

Alan D

Welcome news, but how do we get from the airport to our hotel without being whisked off to Srinagar?

Seriously though, it's great that so many options are opening up at the moment in terms of airlines and arrival point - this was always going to be a major factor in the expansion of India's tourist business.

Amritsar could be a good starting point for people going to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, especially those who want to avoid a large metropolis.

Personally, I like Delhi, but if the price is right and it's more convenient, it might be the way to go.

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What a long strange trip it's been!

Dr Funkenstein

Agree with Alan D.

Amritsar appeals to me more than Delhi simply because I've been through Delhi a few times now and I've not been to Amritsar yet.

If you were heading for the hills in the Summer this'd be a good option. I'm thinking: a couple of days in Amritsar first, see the Golden Temple etc and then head North rather than staying in Delhi and having to do the interminable 16 hour+ overnight bus ride to Manali or wherever.

A good option and one I'll look at next time I'm heading out.

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Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

wandering_kat

Damn, i booked my ticket to delhi 2 days too early......

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Sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma

GoanCanuck

The present Chandigarh airport is an Indian Airforce base and there is no scope for expansion. There is also no scope for building another airport in Chandigarh because of the small size of the Union territory.

indiansitar

Kat - cancelling tickets is always an option. Is there a charge at your end ?

Could everyone please take a close hard look at the map , or one's experiences and suggest options to go to

1) Rajasthan

2) Himachal

3) Kashmir

from there.

The airport is already being built - the news article says so. Extra land is being allotted. 8m Punjabis , whoohoooo

mira4bai4

I got excited about Amritsar Airport until I checked out the price from Singapore and frankly not on your Nelly, complete extortion.

Anyway Chandigarh is going to happen more commercial flights at city airport

shere

Plenty of scope for expansion. It is a dual use airport. Look at many airports in the middle east and they are dual use eg Muscat. Not as if the IAF are involved in any conflicts plus they have enough airforce bases close by to where they could relocate if needed. Sirsa, Adampur, Amritsar.

mira4bai4

The aspect about Chandigarh airport that may see it come through quicker is that it is all ready to go, set up for night flights and can cope with 747's. it will only need the customs facilities, the baggage handing and lounge and it is pretty well done. It also has an already growing number of daily internal commercial flights plus the train is only 3 hours to Delhi, not a bad set up really.

There could be a poll on the time scale and a prize for the winning time vote.

shere

The airport was being built and scheduled to be operational in a few months. The building work has been stopped due to some idiot wanting a redesign of the airport as he/she does not like the domes that were part of the original design.

Also this airport has a small shrine next to the runway, so if you see people walking next to the runway area do not be surprised.