AMRITSAR: BJP Member Parliament, Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu at New Delhi met Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel to apprise him about the problems facing the Amritsar International Airport which may affect the livelihood of many people, since many airlines were shutting operations.

In a release issued here on Tuesday informed that Praful Patel assured immediate action and appointed a high level five-member committee to look into the issue, comprising of M.S. Gill, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare; Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP, Lok Sabha; Tarlochan Singh, MP, Rajya Sabha: A.S. Kohli, Regional Director, AirIndia (North);  and Dr. Rama Lingham, Chairman, Airport Authority India.

The committee will visit Amritsar Airport to take up corrective measures, Patel assured. Rajasansi airport at Amritsar is one of the oldest airports in the country which became operational in 1949 with the service of Afghan airlines, which was upgraded to international airport to decongest Delhi airport since 32 percent of traffic originated from Panjab, Sidhu stated in his memorandum, and with continued flow of tourist traffic the city of Amritsar has seen growth of hospitality industry and big investments, opening up new employment opportunities for the people.

The current decision by Singapore Airline to close operations due to heavy landing charges, Sidhu has suggested the rationalization of the landing fee structures which, at the moment, is 50 percent higher than what is charged at Delhi airport, besides early completion of
construction, installation of more baggage x-ray machines,and streamlining the parking and taxi charges at the airport.

Sidhu has also suggested to promote cargo handling from Amritsar so that cargo shipped by road at the moment from the region can be shifted to the airport which could go over 2000 tons per month from existing below 100 percent ton.Sidhu has also urged the Punjab Government to release necessary funds for acquisition of 40 acres of land which has already been notified.