A strategic demand echoed in Rajya Sabha Tuesday as MP Satnam Singh Sandhu advocated for direct international flights from Chandigarh to high-demand destinations: London, Singapore, and Vancouver. Voicing the collective voice of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, he spotlighted the airport’s underperformance despite robust infrastructure.
Boasting a 7-million-passenger capacity, Chandigarh International Airport operates at 50-60% utilization, restricted to a mere two Middle East routes. Sandhu argued that new long-haul services would slash travel hassles for residents, fostering trade, tourism, and family reunions.
Key to this vision: adding Chandigarh to the Points of Call roster, opening doors for global carriers alongside Indian ones. He simultaneously pushed for cargo expansion to propel Punjab’s agro-exports, empowering farmers with faster global market access and higher returns.
Contextualizing the plea, Sandhu celebrated aviation milestones—airports surging from 74 to 163 since 2014. Punjab benefits from dual international airports and four domestic facilities. Tributes flowed for PM Modi’s gestures: Adampur’s rename for Guru Ravidas and Halwara’s state handover during his February 1 visit.
“These steps honor our heritage and aspirations, but we crave more connectivity,” Sandhu declared. The proposal positions Chandigarh as a pivotal northern hub, promising economic ripple effects from enhanced air links.