Air India Express launches daily direct flights between Pune and Amritsar

With this addition, Air India Express now operates around 105 weekly flights from Pune to 12 destinations, including Abu Dhabi. Representational pic

Air India Express has commenced daily direct flights between Pune and Amritsar, enhancing air connectivity between Maharashtra and Punjab.

The inaugural service operated from Pune on Monday (June 15), marking the start of the new route.

As per the schedule effective from June 15, the flight departs Pune at 1.20 am and arrives in Amritsar at 4.10 am. The return service leaves Amritsar at 5 am and reaches Pune at 7.50 am.

Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and the Wagah Border ceremony, is a major pilgrimage and tourist destination. Pune is a key education and IT hub in western India.

With this addition, Air India Express now operates around 105 weekly flights from Pune to 12 destinations, including Abu Dhabi. From Amritsar, the airline operates 24 weekly flights connecting Delhi, Dubai, Pune and Sharjah.

The new route is expected to improve connectivity for business, tourism and personal travel between the two cities.

AI Express flight from Kannur to Jeddah lands back safely after suspected technical issue

The passengers of an Air India Express flight from Kerala's Kannur to Jeddah went through tense moments on Tuesday after the aircraft developed a suspected technical problem shortly after take-off, forcing the crew to return to Kannur International Airport, news agency IANS reported.

The flight, which took off from Kannur at around 7.03 am, detected a technical snag approximately 30 minutes into the journey.

Following standard safety procedures, the pilots decided to return to the airport of origin instead of continuing the international flight.

However, as the aircraft was carrying a heavy fuel load for the long-haul journey to Jeddah, the crew had to reduce the fuel weight before landing.

The aircraft began circling over the region to dump fuel safely, completing around 18 rounds in the air before making its approach back to Kannur.

The aircraft finally landed safely at 9 am, bringing relief to passengers and airport authorities who were closely monitoring the situation.

A total of 180 passengers were on board the aircraft.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft had recently reported an issue related to its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).

(With IANS inputs)