Indo-Scottish links take flight

DIRECT FLIGHT ADVOCACY GROUP CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

A ground-breaking initiative to foster stronger economic, cultural, and educational ties between Scotland and India is set to take flight (writes AIKYA NAIK).

The Direct Flight Advocacy Group, comprising high-profile representatives from major IT companies, tourism operators, educational institutions, and aviation authorities, is launching a campaign to establish direct flight routes between Scotland and India.

The official launch event, featuring the unveiling of a dedicated website and survey, took place on July 24 at the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh.

The current absence of direct flight routes between any Scottish city and India represents a significant missed opportunity for enhancing connectivity and collaboration. Establishing direct flights will provide convenience and unlock substantial benefits for both nations.

Event Highlights

The event was held at the Consulate General of India, Edinburgh, where distinguished guests and stakeholders gathered to discuss the importance of this initiative and the positive impact it promises.

The evening featured speeches from key advocates and stakeholders, including:

Consul General of India said: “The Consul General of India is proud to support this initiative. Direct flights between Scotland and India will significantly enhance our cultural and economic exchanges, bringing our communities closer together.

“We see immense potential for growth in tourism, trade, and educational collaboration with the establishment of these direct routes.”

Christopher Tibbett, Aviation Director at Glasgow Airport, said: “We are very keen for a flight to India.

“It is the highest-demand country without a flight to Scotland, and we are determined to make it happen.”

Gary Cox, Director for Aviation, Scottish Government, said: “India is a real priority market for us.

“We are working with airlines to incentivise them to come to Scotland. A new direct route can stimulate extra demand, and we are committed to securing a daily route.”

VisitScotland’s Denise Hill, said: “We’ve seen a huge growth in tourism post-COVID, particularly from high-spending international visitors.

“We are very keen to see direct flights from India, which would bring longer-staying and higher-spending visitors, further boosting our tourism industry.”

Lynsey Burns, Airline Relationship Manager at Edinburgh Airport, said: “The prospect of a direct flight route to India is so exciting and achievable.

“We have substantial data proving the demand, and we are committed to making this vision a reality.”

Confidential Insights

Confidential research by Glasgow & Edinburgh Airport suggests that a direct flight route presents a substantial opportunity for aviation growth.

Delhi, due to its strategic location, can serve as a key connecting hub for destinations like Australia, Singapore, and Thailand, saving significant fuel and operational costs.

Furthermore, there is a considerable freight potential, estimated at over £300 million per year, enhancing trade between Scotland and India.

Call for Support

The advocacy group is calling on all stakeholders, including airlines, government officials, business leaders, and the general public, to support this initiative.

The campaign website and survey aim to gather valuable insights and demonstrate the commercial viability of the route.

Next Steps

Following the launch in Edinburgh, the advocacy group plans to host a follow-up event in Glasgow in early September to present the survey results and further engage with stakeholders.

This transparent approach ensures that both cities receive equal opportunities and benefits from the initiative.

About the Direct Flight Advocacy Group

The Direct Flight Advocacy Group is a coalition of representatives from major IT companies, tourism operators, educational institutions, and aviation authorities, dedicated to establishing direct flight routes between Scotland and India.

The group aims to unlock significant economic, cultural, and educational benefits through enhanced connectivity.

Advocacy group members

Puneet Dwivedi MBE(Founding Member), Chetan Sharma(Founding Member), Gopalan Rajagopalan(Founding Member), Alok Singh(Support Member), Sujeet Singh(Support Member), Deepak Yadav(Support Member), Deepak Verma(Finance and Audit), Vishwanathan Panyam(Support Member), Priyaa(Advocacy Group Secretariat).