About Us
Connecting the Holy City : Locally & Globally
The FlyAmritsar Initiative is an independent, volunteer-driven, non-political, and non-government advocacy group working to place Amritsar on the global aviation map. This movement was born out of a necessity to change the narrative of inconvenient travel and overlooked potential.
We represent the collective voice of travelers—from the global Punjabi diaspora to communities across India—demanding better connectivity to our spiritual and cultural capital, Amritsar. Whether it is a direct flight from Toronto or a critical link from Nanded or Delhi, we work to bridge the gap between passengers and policy-makers.
Policy & Development
Advocating with government bodies and airport authorities for better bilateral air agreements, infrastructure expansion, and resolving passenger grievances
Airline Engagement
Pitching data-driven business cases to international and domestic airlines to launch new routes.
Community Awareness
* Educating travelers and the community to support flights and sustainable growth for the airport. We believe that robust air connectivity is the engine of economic growth for Punjab, and we are committed to making that vision a reality.
Leading Members
Founder of Flyamritsar Initiative
Year 2019
FlySpiceJet brings another New Year 2019 Gift for the Punjabis. Dehradun becomes 9th domestic and 17th overall Airport to be directly connected with Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport Amritsar… with Direct Non-Stop flights starting Jan 20, 2019. ਸਪਾਈਸਜੈਟ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਨਵਾਂ ਸਾਲ 2019 ਦਾ ਤੋਹਫ਼ਾ। ਦੇਹਰਾਦੂਨ ਨੋਵਾਂ ਘਰੇਲੂ ਅਤੇ 17ਵਾਂ ਹਵਾਈ ਅੱਡਾ ਬਣਿਆਂ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਅੰਤਰਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਹਵਾਈ ਅੱਡੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜਿਆ ਗਿਆ। ਇਹ ਉਡਾਣ ੨੦ ਜਨਵਰੀ ੨੦੧੯ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਏਗੀ ਤੇ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਬੁਕਿੰਗ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋ ਗਈ ਹੈ।
Year 2018
Many cities across Australia including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast will now be connected directly to Amritsar. In the coming months, there will be more convenient connections between Amritsar and Australia, with three airlines now likely to directly link this route. The newest addition to this route will be Air Asia X beginning Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur operations from 16th August 2018*.
Year 2016
The present pity state of Amritsar Airport highlighted by various political leaders like Manohar Singh Gill, Former Minister & MP Rajya Sabha, Member Parliament Shwait Malik, MP Rajya Sabha, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MP Lok Sabha and Navjot Singh Sidhu, who have clearly stated that the Amritsar Airport has suffered a great setback after the privatization of Delhi Airport, which can be very well judged from the factual figures showing the drastic downfall in the international share of Amritsar Airport i.e. from 80% to 30% in the year 2015 due to diversion of flights to Delhi and the same can be verified from the fact that the international traffic at Amritsar has fallen substantially. Further, the substantial percentage of international traffic going from Delhi Airport is from Punjab, which shows the great injustice being done with the Amritsar Airport.
Year 2013
Although Air India announced re-launching the flights to Birmingham from Amritsar via Delhi, but the demands of Punjabis for starting direct flights from Amritsar were not met with, citing the reason that hub and spoke policy of Air India does not support the same. Many complaints were moved by the patron of Amritsar Vikas Manch Dr. Charanjit Singh Gumtala regarding the starting of direct flights from Amritsar Airport, but to no avail. The Etihad Airlines agreed to fly to six more Indian destination including Amritsar but could not fly to these destinations directly as it is not entitled to do so under the bilateral air service agreements.
Year 2012
Emirates one of the biggest airlines in the World released the study titled “Emirates in India – Assessment of Economic Impact and Regional Briefs”. This study highlights the benefits with an economic impetus to the cities of Amritsar, Pune, Manglore and Trichy and suggest that Emirates expansion to the above mentioned four points would benefit the Indian economy by $106 Million and would also lead to a creation of 13,011 jobs. The Indian Government is not providing them with Amritsar as point of call in the bilateral air service agreements, which would directly benefit the Amritsar Airport.
Leading Members
Founder of Flyamritsar Initiative
Sameep Singh Gumtala is a prominent social activist and organizer known for leading the FlyAmritsar Initiative, advocating for direct flights to Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport from North America, and working with organizations like the Amritsar Vikas Manch to promote community development and connectivity, especially for the Sikh diaspora. He actively campaigns for better air links to Punjab, highlighting the needs of NRIs and connecting Punjab with the world through his advocacy.
Yogesh Kamra is experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Strong professional skilled in Service Delivery, Operations Management, Business Process Improvement, and Transition Management. Additionally, leading civil society initiative as India convenor liasoning, lobbying, advocating between airlines, community and air travel fraternity.
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