Demand for direct flights from Ahmedabad to the US is increasing as a result of Air India‘s announcement of flights to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Aviation department officials note that the trip from Ahmedabad to the US, despite allocating slots, has not commenced appropriately. Some officials stated that as a result of this, thousands of visitors, which include students and the elderly arrive in Ahmedabad via Delhi or Mumbai after a lengthy delay. The elderly and students suffer greatly as a result. The demand for direct flight tickets from India to USA has increased over time.
In order to start direct flight tickets from India to USA, precisely from Ahmedabad, the Federation of Gujarati Association (FOGA) has made representations at various levels.
Gujarati Community’s Strong Ties to the US
17–18 lakh of the approximately 50 lakh Indians living in the US are Gujaratis. The NRI season, which runs from November to January, is when most of these folks visit Gujarat. However, millions of Gujarati families from the US often go to Ahmedabad from New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, and Chicago, regardless of the NRI season or religious occasions like the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pramukh Swami.
The desire for direct flights to Ahmedabad from USA and from Ahmedabad to other locations in the US has increased rather than from Delhi and Mumbai.
Observers have noted that Gujaratis comprise between 62 and 70 percent of passengers on Air India traveling from Mumbai and Delhi to the US.
In 2007, Air India was granted a direct flight slot from Ahmedabad to the US, but the airline canceled the route in 2012. At the time, the US administration accused Ahmedabad Airport of having outdated baggage screening equipment. However, airport sources assert that, over the past 1.5 years since a private company took over Ahmedabad Airport’s management, the baggage screening system has reached international standards.