The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with a formal request to introduce a direct flight route between San Francisco and Amritsar. In a letter sent on November 11, NAPA’s executive director, Satnam Singh Chahal, emphasized the importance of direct air connectivity in fostering cultural, economic, and social bonds.
Chahal noted that although there are numerous flights between Indian cities and other global destinations, no direct flight links San Francisco and Amritsar—a concern for the Indian diaspora and business community in both locations.
San Francisco, known as a global hub of technology, is home to a substantial Indian population, including many Sikhs with strong ties to Punjab. Amritsar, a key religious and tourist site, would greatly benefit from this direct route, which would cut down travel time, enhance convenience, and stimulate tourism, trade, and investment, according to Chahal.
November 11, 2024
The proposed flight path could also enable airlines to broaden their services, fuel economic growth, and promote cultural exchanges, thereby strengthening educational and social ties between India and the United States.
