Qatar Airways announced a new non-stop service between Doha in Qatar and Toronto in Canada, starting on December 11, 2024. The new route offers seamless one-stop connectivity to Amritsar. The office-bearers of FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) welcomed the announcement by Qatar Airways. Sameep Singh Gumtala of FAI stated that the development provides much-needed travel options for the Punjabi diaspora in Toronto, many of whom have been seeking alternatives to flying through Delhi.

Sharing details, Anantdeep Singh Dhillon from FAI said, “The flight from Amritsar departs early in the morning at 4.10 am, arriving in Doha at 6.05 am. After a 3-hour-45-minute layover, passengers will board the flight from Doha on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 9.50 am, reaching Toronto the same day at 3.55 pm. The return flight departs from Toronto on the same day at 8 pm, arriving in Doha the next day at 4.30 pm. Passengers will then board a connecting flight at 8.40 pm, landing in Amritsar the following morning at 2.40 am. The total travel time is approximately 20 hours and 10 minutes.”

Qatar Airways has been operating daily direct flights from Amritsar, providing short transit connections via Doha to several destinations in the USA and Montreal in Canada providing further connectivity within Canada. With the introduction of this new route, Amritsar will now have 10 weekly flights to Canada via Doha, offering much-needed relief for travellers who have previously endured long road journeys to Delhi, extended layovers and multiple check-ins. The new route simplifies the travel experience, making it faster and more convenient.

Gumtala cited Neos Air as another option for travellers seeking to avoid Delhi. Neos connects Amritsar and Toronto via Milan, with two weekly flights, increasing to four weekly for the month of December.