AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang Urges Union Civil Aviation Minister to Start Direct International Flights from Chandigarh Airport

Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Loksabha MP from Punjab, Malvinder Singh Kang, has made a strong pitch to the Union Government for starting direct international flights from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali (Chandigarh). Kang met with the Hon’ble Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi on Monday and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking urgent attention to this long-standing demand of Punjabis across the globe.

In his meeting, Kang urged the Minister to facilitate direct international flights from Chandigarh to key global destinations including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and countries across Europe. He also pushed for a direct national flight to Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded in Maharashtra, an important religious destination for the Sikh community.

“This airport, named after our great martyr Shaheed Bhagat Singh, has all the necessary infrastructure and is strategically located to serve as an international aviation hub for North India,” Kang said. “It is high time the Union Government recognizes the potential of Chandigarh and acts on the aspirations of the Punjabi community worldwide.”

Kang highlighted that Chandigarh and its neighboring states, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, are major contributors to India’s economy. Improved air connectivity would attract international investors, boost tourism, and support industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and IT.

He underlined the large Punjabi diaspora in Canada, the UK, and the US, stating that direct flights from Chandigarh would significantly ease their travel and strengthen socio-economic and cultural ties. The MP stressed that enhanced connectivity would boost tourism across the region, known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and rich heritage.

Pointing to the increasing congestion at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, Kang said that direct international flights from Chandigarh would reduce pressure on Delhi and offer a more convenient option for Northern India. He noted that this move aligns with the Government of India’s UDAN scheme and broader aviation vision of promoting regional connectivity and equitable infrastructure development. Direct flights from Chandigarh would reduce the need for road travel to Delhi, cutting carbon emissions and offering greater convenience to passengers.

Kang said that the airport already has the capacity to handle international flights and urged the Ministry to initiate discussions with airline companies and relevant stakeholders to operationalize the proposed routes at the earliest.

“The people of Punjab, especially NRIs, have been demanding direct connectivity from their home region to destinations where their families live and work,” Kang said. The MP expressed confidence that once implemented, direct international flights from Chandigarh would not only serve the people of Punjab and the larger northern region but would also play a key role in national aviation growth.