Amritsar: It was a moment of immense joy and satisfaction for Ravreet Singh, an aviation blogger and analyst at FlyAmritsar Initiative who took the Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural November 10 flight from Amritsar to Kuala Lumpur.

He met with Amit Mehta, Regional Manager South Asia, Middle East and Africa for the airline and other senior executives present on the send off occasion marking departure of this flight from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (SGRDJI), Amritsar.

Malaysia Airlines commenced its 2- weekly flights operation from Amritsar, marking a significant milestone for the residents of Punjab and the Punjabi diaspora worldwide, along with the FlyAmritsar Initiative, a civil advocacy group dedicated to the development of SGRDJI Airport, Amritsar.

This first flight from Amritsar had above 90% occupancy with majority of passengers travelling to Australia and New Zealand via Kuala Lumpur. The passengers arriving Amritsar were welcomed with flower garlands by the airline.

Mintu Sarkaria who arrived at Amritsar from Auckland, New Zealand on the first flight was visibly elated for having boarded the first flight directly to the holy city without going via Delhi. This new connectivity has made travel easier for Punjabi diaspora in Auckland.

This is now the third Malaysian carrier to operate from Amritsar following Batik Air and Air Asia X. This marks a significant milestone for the Airport as the Initiative aims to establish it as a key secondary air travel hub in Northern India, said Yogesh Kamra, Convener India for the FlyAmritsar Initiative.

According to Manmohan Singh, patron of the NGO Amritsar Vikas Manch, “It is now more important for our diaspora and those residing in Punjab to support the airport’s growth by making it their primary choice for travel, rather than Delhi. We hope Malaysia Airlines will increase its frequency of flights to Amritsar in the upcoming months, so that the Punjabi diaspora across Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand travel conveniently to/from Punjab via Kuala Lumpur.”

The Malaysian airline’s presence not only boosts connectivity but firmly establishes Amritsar as an emerging secondary hub in Northern India for airlines, marking a significant milestone for the region’s aviation landscape, added Ravreet Singh.