Coming up: A swank new airport terminal and more flights
Rajasansi Airport is fast becoming a buzzing hub of international action—and getting a new look too.
Singapore Airline terminal likely to open in October, British Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Phuket Airlines, Tajikistan Airlines, Uzbek Airways and Air-India are also lining up a landing here, say officials.
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.
Even cargo flights, such as those of Ariana to Kabul, are planning to double their flights from three to six in a week, while First Flight, a courier service, has evinced interest in starting operations, say officials.
With air traffic surging by as much as 41 per cent in the last four years, S V Molekar, Director, Airport Authority of India (AAI), says most of these airlines are planning to cash in on Punjabi NRI passengers.
‘‘That is the main incentive. For, at Rs 1 lakh a flight, the operating rates here are akin to those charged at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport though the facilities here are far inferior,’’ says Molekar.
The AAI, he says, is now tackling the Rajasansi challenge on a warfooting with a budget of Rs 79 crore, which also explains the haze of dust that hangs over the airport these days.
He admits that the airport, so far, hasn’t lived up to the ‘‘international’’ status it was accorded in 1999. The tin shed that doubles up as terminal, lack of basic amenities like chairs, trolleys, and booths for customs make for a miserable experience for passengers.
The article seems to have been written before May 2005, before AI started it ATQ-BHX-YYZ service.
So what do you think guys? Could this be true or is it a load of cobblers?
I'm not to sure - on the one hand the article is certainly right about MH coming to ATQ, but completely wrong about the new terminal opening in October! Either way, I would love BA to start ATQ!
Concorde001 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 1230 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 4461 times:
For those of you who don't know, Amritsar in northern India, in the state of Punjab. Here is a map and a picture of the new terminal being constructed:
And below is Amritsar's greatest landmark, the Golden Temple.
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18813 posts, RR: 54 Reply 2, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 4438 times:
I would not be surprised, in view of the demand for Sikhs (ATQ is the most important site for Sikhs). A 763-operated service from LHR to ATQ a few times weekly would probably do well.
I suspect AMD will, at some stage, also be served, and HYD.
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
CHI787ORD From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 517 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 4382 times:
That isnt even the official site of ATQ. It was just created by some individuals it seems. Actually, MH has pulled out of plans to fly to ATQ.
ATQ does have HUGE amounts of potential, all that si needed is a couple legacy Euro airlines. BA has previously said that it has no plans to fly to ATQ.
LH is amore likely bet. They have said that they are "interested" in ATQ, and are currently conducting studies concerning a flight to ATQ.
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 4, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 4362 times:
though i'm not a sikh myself, but with such an expat sikh population in Europe/United States/Canada, i'm surprised why there aren't lots of flights to ATQ alreadY..
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18813 posts, RR: 54 Reply 5, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 4353 times:
Quoting Jacobin777 (Reply 4): though i'm not a sikh myself, but with such an expat sikh population in Europe/United States/Canada, i'm surprised why there aren't lots of flights to ATQ alreadY..
Indeed.
Take AMD - by far the largest city in Gujarat. 40% of Indians living in NYC alone originate (or their families do) in Gujarat, yet there's few flights there. Indeed, the main option is AI, which has two stops enroute - hardly quick or convenient.
[Edited 2005-11-05 19:23:30]
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
I think the following reasons explain why services to ATQ and other regional cities India have taken so long to start, or in the case of ATQ, have yet to start!
In the case of European airlines not flying to ATQ, I think restrictive bilateral ASA's from the past are to blame. In the case of Britain, only recently have air services between the two countries allowed to develop - in 2000 it was the case of flying either BA or AI direct to either BOM or DEL -thats it! Consequently, with new ASA carriers like BA want to strengthen their presence in important cities like BOM/DEL/BLR/CCU/MAA/HYD where high yielding business traffic is growing rapidly. ATQ which could do quite well for BA (AI seems to doing very well on its YYZ-BHX-ATQ) is perhaps not as important as the other cities I have mentioned!
In the meantime, HY and T5 are having a great time with their LHR-TAS-ATQ/LHR-ASB-ATQ services - these flights go packed in C and Y practically every week!
LAXDESI From United States of America, joined May 2005, 5085 posts, RR: 48 Reply 7, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 4310 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 5): ake AMD - by far the largest city in Gujarat. 40% of Indians living in NYC alone originate (or their families do) in Gujarat, yet there's few flights there
Many of Gujaratis in US come from Bombay and may not need to visit Gujarat as most of their families and relatives are based in Bombay.
LAXDESI From United States of America, joined May 2005, 5085 posts, RR: 48 Reply 9, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 4272 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 8): Or do you mean originate from Gujarat but moved to Mumbai
No. Many Gujaratis were born and raised in Bombay. BTW, my family is from Rajasthan and all of my nephews and nieces were born in Madras and many of them have never been to Rajasthan.
FlyCaledonian From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1965 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 4213 times:
I think Concorde001 has the point with regards to BA - it's putting its efforts into boosting capacity to DEL/BOM/MAA/BLR in the next six months. Once these services bed down it might look at demand for secondary Indian cities to serve from LHR, perhaps converting more 767s for longhaul, thus allowing a three class offering of Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller. Certainly BA would be in a stronger position than BD or VS to serve these routes. Guess we'll see next Winter what BA, if anything, plans to do with regards to expanding its presence in India further.
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 11, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 4171 times:
Quoting Concorde001 (Reply 6): In the case of European airlines not flying to ATQ, I think restrictive bilateral ASA's from the past are to blame. In the case of Britain, only recently have air services between the two countries allowed to develop -
interesting observation......I didn't know that was the case...as I've always thought that BA or some other European carrier had rights to fly to basically anywhere in India....
Pomnath From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 4071 times:
Sooner the better. The number of cars / buses / taxis / minivans at DEL international sporting Punjab registration plates would justify two new international airports in Punjab in addition to the one at Amritsar, at this rate.
And here is another interesting nugget. Seems Qantas and Jet Airways are looking at a LHR-Amritsar-one point Australia kind of joint route too! Now that would be indeed very interesting?
CHI787ORD From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 517 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 3902 times:
Quoting JoyA380B747 (Reply 13): The Terminal looks like it is being built in Sikhs' Gurduwara style, wonder how will it look like when it is completed.
Architecturally, it is using the traditional "Punjabi Sikh" style, which is more or less a blend of several different influences, most notably the Muslim Mughals.
Nimish From India, joined Feb 2005, 3076 posts, RR: 9 Reply 15, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 3879 times:
Quoting Pomnath (Reply 12): And here is another interesting nugget. Seems Qantas and Jet Airways are looking at a LHR-Amritsar-one point Australia kind of joint route too! Now that would be indeed very interesting?
Wow - this would be incredible! India has as much potential as SIN or BKK or KUL to be a transit point for the kangaroo route, but due to the sorry state of the airports and the wierd ASAs, India's lost out on this huge market. Wish QF/9W all the best to get something like this started!
Airtropolis From Singapore, joined Apr 2000, 138 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (7 years 6 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 3648 times:
I recently looked at the map and noticed that Amritsar is very close to Lahore and was wondering if there was any potential in serving both cities through ATQ. Of course with the often frosty relations between both India and Pakistan, this idea may be moot, but you never know, relations may improve and I was just wondering if there are or have been any land links between the 2 cities which would make this possible in the same way as SEA and YVR are able to serve the respective cities with a bus linking both airports.
On a separate note, I remember from a previous thread, someone mentioning that ATQ is doing quite well for SQ, while AMD is struggling a little.
CHI787ORD From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 517 posts, RR: 4 Reply 19, posted (7 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 3561 times:
Quoting Airtropolis (Reply 18): I recently looked at the map and noticed that Amritsar is very close to Lahore and was wondering if there was any potential in serving both cities through ATQ. Of course with the often frosty relations between both India and Pakistan, this idea may be moot, but you never know, relations may improve and I was just wondering if there are or have been any land links between the 2 cities which would make this possible in the same way as SEA and YVR are able to serve the respective cities with a bus linking both airports.
On a separate note, I remember from a previous thread, someone mentioning that ATQ is doing quite well for SQ, while AMD is struggling a little.
My mother once flew into a Lahore to go to India. Since she was a US passport holder (and had Indian and Pakistani visas), it was relatively easy. She flew into Lahore on KU i believe, simply hopped into a taxi and went to the Wagah Border. After about 20 minutes of processing, she was out and her relatives were waiting for her.
The Problem: There are not too many good connections into Lahore. While it is still better off than compared to ATQ, I do not think any major European airlines fly there. Also, customs at the border is very extensive, including mandatory hand inspection of all bags.
SQ's SIN-ATQ-SIN route has become one of their most profitable Indian routes, thanks to Punjabi feed coming in from YVR, LAX, SFO, and SYD.
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