Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Preet Kaur Gill and 11 other MPs bat for more direct flights between West Midlands and India’s Amritsar

Air India holds to key to improving Amritsar flight frequency: Birmingham airport

Preet Kaur Gill and 11 other MPs bat for more direct flights between West Midlands and India’s Amritsar

Birmingham Airport authorities have urged the region’s parliamentarians to prevail upon Air India to operate more direct flights between the West Midlands city and India’s Amritsar.

The airport chiefs said fleet shortages and spare part issues have hindered the efforts of two airlines’ to link the international destinations better.

They, however, said they would do everything they could to restore the frequency of flights between Amritsar and Birmingham which has been reduced to just one a week from the earlier six.

The assurance from the airport chiefs came after the region’s 12 MPs, led by Preet Kaur Gill, said the current flight frequency to the city of the Golden Temple was inadequate for the region which is home to 130,000 Sikh and Punjabi population.

The airport’s aviation director Tom Screen said Air India holds the key to increasing the flight frequency but it is facing problems in getting sufficient spare parts for its Boeing 787 planes.

Qatar Airways, which can connect Birmingham and Amritsar via Doha, is experiencing fleet shortages with its 23 A350-900 aircraft remaining grounded due to a dispute with Airbus.

Screen said the airport is holding talks with Hans Airways to meet the demand, Birmingham Live reported.

In their letter addressed to the airport CEO, the parliamentarians had said passengers have to travel to London to board flights to Amritsar, incurring higher costs and experiencing inconvenience.

“While it was a welcome step that the direct Birmingham-Amritsar flight resumed last August as Covid travel restrictions relaxed, we are concerned that the regularity of flights remained significantly scaled down. Currently, there is only one flight per week to Amritsar, Punjab from Birmingham international airport,” the letter said.

"The result of this is to lay an expensive and restrictive burden on the West Midlands’ sizeable Sikh and Punjabi diaspora population. Our constituents have complained that they are having to travel to London to secure flights, which are more expensive in their own right, never minding the additional travel costs, parking fees and inconvenience this entails," they said.

Gill, the shadow international development secretary, conveyed the readiness of the region’s MPs to work towards restoring better air links.

"We are confident that demand from my community is there, and are keen to work with whoever necessary to ensure this important air route is restored," the Labour politician said.

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less