DW BUREAU / New Delhi

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu today demanded the Union government to start direct international flights to London, Singapore, and Vancouver from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport Chandigarh.

Raising this issue during the Zero Hour, MP Sandhu demanded the Union government to increase the number of international flights from Chandigarh International Airport. Further, MP Satnam Sandhu demanded Chandigarh International Airport should be designated as "Point of Call" which is a pre-requisite for International Airlines to operate from a particular airport to Global destinations. He also urged the Union government to increase the cargo capacity of both international airports ? Chandigarh and Amritsar - in Punjab to boost the state's exports. Currently only 2 international flights are being operated from Chandigarh International Airport to Abu Dhabi and Dubai which is being managed by domestic carrier Indigo Airlines.

MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "Chandigarh Airport is an important aviation hub not only for Punjab, but also for Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The combined population of these three states is approximately 7 Crore for whom Chandigarh is considered the most suitable and convenient airport. Considering the importance of Chandigarh Airport, it was built to handle an annual capacity of 60 lakh passengers. Currently, Chandigarh International Airport handles 40 lakh passengers annually and has the capacity to handle 20 lakh new passengers,".

"Today, direct flights are operating from Chandigarh Airport to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. So this a common demand of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh that new international flights should be introduced from Chandigarh International Airport to London, Singapore, and Vancouver and the number of international flights be increased," he added.

MP Sandhu said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India's aviation sector has seen unprecedented expansion over the past decade. While there were only 74 airports in the country in 2014, today this number has crossed 163. Today Punjab has two international airports, Chandigarh and Amritsar, and four domestic airports, Adampur, Halwara, Bathinda, and Pathankot. This is not just a statistical growth but a powerful example of infrastructure expansion, inclusive growth, and regional balance,".

"PM Modi visited Punjab on 1 February and took the historic decision to rename Punjab's Adampur Airport as 'Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport' thus honoring the sentiments of the people in Punjab. Guru Ravidas Ji is a symbol of equality, human dignity, and social reform. Naming the airport after him on the auspicious occasion of Ravidas Jayanti reflects the Modi government's immense respect.

(editor@dailyworld.in)