Business Voice WM has called for a breakthrough in the impasse
over direct flights from Birmingham to India.
It has written to Nalin Surie, India's High Commissioner in
London, asking him to use his influence to plot a way forward.
The link was severed in 2008 when Air India switched its
Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto service to go via London Heathrow
in a move to secure slots there.
Since then, a major campaign to restore a connection has become
mired in red tape and regulation.
BVWM executive director James Watkins has requested Mr Surie's
support "in resolving matters", with the Punjab again being the
proposed destination.
Highlighting the close business links between the West Midlands
and India, Mr Watkins stated: "Since 2006, more than 1,500 jobs
have been created by 16 Indian companies. There are now over 30
Indian owned businesses in the West Midlands region, such as Tata
Motors, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Tata Steel, Mahindra &
Mahindra and Aditya Birla.
"In addition, the Punjabi community here provides greater
economic prosperity for both the Midlands and the Indian economy.
Despite these clear economic advantages between our two countries,
there is no direct service between Birmingham International Airport
and the Punjab. Direct services to the Punjab from a congested
Terminal Three at Heathrow Airport lead to additional cost and
delays for Midlands business people who wish to travel
directly.
"Birmingham International Airport would warmly welcome
discussions with carriers to enable such direct services to take
place and so complement the decision of Akal Air to ensure there
are flights to the Punjab via a transit stop at Vienna.
"It would help tie India and the West Midlands business
community closer together. We appreciate that the ability for
direct line services to take place is a matter for commercial
interests and also for Indian regulatory considerations. In respect
of both matter we would be grateful if the High Commission could
kindly consider what steps all of us in the Midlands and elsewhere
could take which would be to the economic benefit of both of our
countries."
Birmingham International Airport hosts several airlines which
run indirect services to India. Among them are Air France KLM,
Emirates and Lufthansa.
It has been suggested that three Indian carriers Air India,
Kingfisher and Jet Airways might be interested in re-launching a
route, but commercial rivalry and regulatory hurdles have prevented
any progress despite a 20,000-signature petition being presented to
the Indian government.
There are said to be around 350,000 people of Indian origin
living in a one-hour catchment of Birmingham Airport.