Direct service to India announced

The airline will run direct flights to Amritsar

An airline has announced it is to run a new regular direct service from Birmingham to India.

Bilga Air said the flights to Amritsar, which would be operated by Monarch Airlines, would start on 9 October.

Peter Vella, Birmingham International Airport's business development director, said it was "great news".

It follows Air India's announcement earlier this month that it was moving its direct flights from Birmingham to Heathrow Airport from November.

Mr Vella added: "Bilga Air's operation will help to fill a very popular market which exists in the Midlands.

"Following the disappointing news that Air India will temporarily suspend its flights between Birmingham and India from the end of October, I'm sure it will be greatly welcomed by the Midlands' Asian community.

"We wish them every success."

'Very excited'

Air India currently runs direct services from Birmingham to Amritsar, Mumbai, Delhi and Toronto, in Canada.

The airport said it had decided to temporarily suspend them until summer 2009 because it risked losing its slots at Heathrow if it did not operate 80% of its allocated movements from the airport.

The new service will mainly depart Birmingham on Sunday and Monday evenings.

The airport said more than 90% of the flights would be direct, with the remainder stopping to refuel.

Surinder Kanwar, director of Bilga Air, said: "We are very excited about launching our new operation and serving both those who want to explore the wonders of northern India as well as the Asian community who wish to reunite with their families.

"Despite threats of an economic slowdown, we believe that Bilga Air has the ingredients to sustain a successful operation due to the ethnically diverse region in which Birmingham Airport sits and first class facility it offers."

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