New Delhi/Milpitas(California-The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has once again questioned the Union Government’s continued delay in announcing a direct flight between Amritsar and San Francisco, describing the absence of the route as a major disappointment for the global Punjabi community. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said it is difficult to understand why such a long-standing demand continues to be ignored despite the enormous economic, religious, and cultural importance of the route.
Chahal said the San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest Punjabi populations outside India and serves as a major center for the North American trucking and logistics industry, where thousands of Punjabis have built successful businesses. Every year, countless families, entrepreneurs, students, and pilgrims travel between California and Punjab, yet they are forced to endure long layovers and multiple connecting flights because no direct service exists.
He questioned why the Union Government has announced and expanded international air connectivity from several other Indian cities while Amritsar continues to remain on the sidelines. According to Chahal, Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport has the potential to become a major international gateway, but that potential cannot be realized unless the government demonstrates the political will to expand long-haul international connectivity.
“The Punjabi diaspora contributes significantly to India’s economy through investments, tourism, and remittances,” Chahal said. “A direct Amritsar–San Francisco flight is not a luxury—it is a necessity that reflects the needs of millions of people.”
NAPA has urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to work with airlines and relevant authorities to make the route operational without further delay. Chahal emphasized that such a service would strengthen business ties, promote tourism, facilitate religious travel to Punjab, and deepen people-to-people connections between India and the United States.
Calling for immediate action, Chahal said the Punjabi community has waited long enough. He urged the Union Government to recognize the importance of Amritsar as both a spiritual capital and an international destination, adding that the time has come to turn years of promises into meaningful action.