| "Although we have introduced flights to Toronto and other places from Amritsar, due to lack of aircraft we could not introduce cargo service from Amritsar. But now the cargo service from Amritsar airport will soon happen," V Thulasidas, chairman-cum-managing director of the airline, told Business Standard. |
| "If the response is good, Air-India will get more cargo aircraft on lease," he said, adding Air-India had chalked out a plan to expand its network in the country to enhance the frequency of flights. |
| The airline has placed an order to buy 68 aircraft with an investment of about Rs 35,000 to expand its network in India and abroad to be at par with international rivals, according to Thulasidas. The first lot of delivery will take place in the current financial year. |
| In an effort to develop Amritsar as a base for going abroad, Air-India will double the number of flights to Toronto from Amritsar, to six days a week against thrice a week at present from May 1. |
| "Punjab is giving great business to Air-India. This forced the airline to operate three more flights from Rajasansi to Toronto and very soon other cities of Canada like Vancouver will also be on the flight map of the airline," Thulasidas said. |
| Apart from doubling the number of flights to Toronto, the airline would also start flights to Dubai from Amritsar, he said, adding, after the consignment of 68 aircraft is received, the existing 48 would be gradually grounded except for three or four which were in good condition. |
| Thulasidas said Air-India has recorded 66 per cent growth in passenger traffic and in the international segment, the airline has already started flights to Los Angeles from Mumbai, apart from flights to Korea and China. |
| In the near future, the airline would include new destinations like New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Texas, Washington and San Francisco and Paris, London and Frankfurt in Europe. |
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