DOHA- One of the world’s best airlines, Qatar Airways (QR) announced its intention to launch a three-weekly one-stop flight between Amritsar (ATQ), India, and Toronto (YYZ), Canada from December 11, 2024, via its hub in Doha (DOH).

Actually, Qatar Airways already announced the Doha-Toronto flight and we have already reported it. But Qatar Airways wants to aware people residing in or near Amritsar know that they are flying this route and they can travel with them.

Qatar Airways Amritsar to Toronto

The FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) welcomes this development, citing improved connectivity for the Punjabi diaspora in Toronto to Amritsar.

The new route offers one-stop connectivity to Amritsar, bypassing Delhi airport. FAI North America Convener Anantdeep Singh Dhillon and Global Convener Sameep Singh Gumtala highlight the route’s significance for Punjabi travelers seeking alternatives to Delhi.

Qatar Airways’ Amritsar flight departs at 4:10 am, reaching Doha at 6:05 am. After a 3-hour 45-minute layover, passengers board the Toronto-bound flight at 9:50 am on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Toronto at 3:55 pm the same day.

The return flight leaves Toronto at 8:00 pm, landing in Doha at 4:30 pm the next day. Passengers then connect to Amritsar, arriving at 2:40 am. Total travel time amounts to approximately 20 hours and 10 minutes.

Doha-Amritsar Flight Since 2009

Dhillon notes Qatar Airways’ daily direct flights from Amritsar since 2009, providing connections to US destinations and Montreal, with further Canadian connectivity through codeshare agreements.

Qatar Airways serves the DOH-ATQ route with a mix of Airbus A320s and Boeing 787s.

The new route increases Amritsar’s connectivity to Canada via Doha to ten weekly flights. This expansion addresses traveler concerns about long road journeys to Delhi, extended layovers, and multiple check-ins, streamlining the travel process.

Qatar Airways’ service expansion reinforces Amritsar’s growing importance as an international travel hub, particularly for the Punjabi diaspora.

The improved connectivity is expected to boost tourism and business travel between Punjab and Canada, potentially stimulating economic ties between the regions.

Other Options

Neos Air provides an additional travel option for passengers avoiding Delhi airport, connecting Amritsar and Toronto via Milan. The airline operates two weekly flights, increasing to four weekly in December 2024.

Qatar Airways’ new route offers Punjabi travelers an alternative to Delhi airport transit, addressing issues like long immigration and security lines, baggage delays, and extended travel times from Punjab to Delhi.

Sameep Singh Gumtala criticizes Air India (AI) for neglecting the Punjabi community’s needs, particularly during peak winter travel.

He highlights the longstanding demand for direct non-stop flights between Amritsar and major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver (YVR). Air India’s lack of response forces 65-75% of passengers to transit through Delhi unnecessarily.

Anantdeep Singh Dhillon and Gumtala reaffirm FlyAmritsar Initiative’s commitment to improving international connectivity from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport Amritsar. They pledge to continue engaging with airlines and stakeholders to prioritize Amritsar as a key international destination.

The FlyAmritsar Initiative urges airlines to recognize Amritsar’s potential and respond to community demands for direct connectivity. They encourage Punjabis to prefer flying from Amritsar airport to support these efforts.

Feature Image by: (1) Clément Alloing (@CAlloing) / X

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