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Air India to start direct flights from London Stansted to Amritsar

THE first-ever scheduled flights to India from London Stansted will start from October 31.

Air India’s three times a week flight will fly from London Stansted to Amritsar, India’s northwestern city.


The new service will be the only direct service between London and Amritsar, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliners offering business and economy classes.

Ken O’ Toole, Chief Executive Officer at London Stansted said: “It is fantastic news that there will be a direct non-stop connection to Amritsar, Punjab from London Stansted Airport with Air India. Stansted is ideally situated to serve the Asian community in North and East London and across the East of England so we are delighted that Air India has recognised the customer demand for Amritsar.

“India is an important and popular destination for UK residents, both for tourism and business interests. We look forward to working with Air India to make this route a great success and further improving the connectivity between London and India in the coming years.”

David Rooke, Location Services Director at Invest ESSEX said: “This new Air India route will facilitate major business opportunities in both countries and can only strengthen business trade and investment building upon the substantial and growing Indian owned business base in Essex”.

The new service is expected to provide a relatively inexpensive link for the British Indians to reach the Indian state of Punjab.

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London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

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London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

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Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

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