A new route to India, launched from Birmingham Airport less than
a fortnight ago, has had so much interest the airline plans to
increase the number of weekly services.
Comtel Air, began flights to Amritsar from Birmingham on the 1st
October and planned to operate two weekly services each Saturday
and Sunday. However, the airline says it has had such an
overwhelming response from the region's Indian community it will be
increasing the flights from Birmingham in nearby future, and will
be taking an aircraft from another European base to
accommodate the Midlands' demand.
Thomas Kopetzky, Director Ground Operations for Comtel Air,
said, "We knew there was demand for more flights to India from
Birmingham due to the large Asian community living in the
Midlands and we thought that we'd eventually have to put on more
flights but we never imagined we'd have to make this decision so
soon after launching the first service. It just goes to show
that people want to use their local airport to visit their friends
and relatives out in India rather than travelling to London."
Since launching the first Birmingham flight, Comtel Air has
carried 744 passengers on its four flights between Birmingham and
Amritsar. The flights, which are made on Boeing 757-200
aircraft, have a short stop in Vienna before flying onward to
Amritsar in the Punjab. This stop is due to restrictions on the
number of direct flights permitted from the UK, imposed by the
Indian Government.
Martyn Lloyd, Air Service Development Director at Birmingham
Airport said, "We're delighted that Thomas and his team have shown
confidence in Birmingham Airport, and indeed the region, and
that they've had such an enormous response from the Midlands
community. The success, in such a short period, proves that people
want to fly from Birmingham and shows the enormous potential
that's available. The added benefit is that we also have a new
service to Vienna as a result of Comtel's start up."
People interested in booking with Comtel Air from Birmingham
should contact Takhar Travel on 0121 5655990 or 0121 5650700.
Return flights from Birmingham start from £450, including
all fees and charges.