Air India has commenced its new twice weekly non-stop service from Birmingham Airport to Amritsar, the Airport said in a release.
Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing Birmingham at 1845 hours, reaching Amritsar early the next morning at 0745 hours. From Amritsar the flight departs at 1355 hours arriving into Birmingham at 1715 hours the same day. The service will be operated using a Boeing 787-8 series aircraft, with 256 seats in a split cabin, comprising 18 flat beds business class seats and 238 economy seats. Tickets are available to book at www.airindia.in.
William Pearson, Aviation Director, Birmingham Airport, commented: ‘We are proud to say we are offering a totally unique route, as Birmingham is the only UK airport offering a direct service to Amritsar.
‘The Midlands has the second largest Asian community in the UK and so it is great news that we are making more of India accessible to our passengers for business, leisure and to visit family and friends.’
Tara Naidu, Regional Manager – UK & Europe of Air India, said: ‘Amritsar is an important spiritual centre for the Sikh faith being home to the Golden Temple as well as being a major commercial and cultural centre in the heart of the Punjab.
‘The Sikh community has long awaited this direct route and so we are sure it will be as popular as our Delhi service from Birmingham.’
Vishwanath Panyam, Manager- Birmingham, Air India said: ‘The addition of Amritsar is great news for our passengers offering greater choice, flexibility and convenience.
‘The celebrations for the inaugural flight yesterday were fantastic and show the amount of excitement and support for this route.’
Air India also operates an established Delhi service from Birmingham Airport which started in August 2013. The service has carried more than 600,000 passengers in the four years it has operated using the popular Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft.
