Pune: Air India Express has launched a new daily direct flight service between Pune and Amritsar, enhancing connectivity between Maharashtra’s cultural and educational hub and Punjab’s spiritual capital. The inaugural flight took off on June 15, marking the airline’s latest expansion in its domestic network.
The newly introduced route is expected to benefit a wide range of travellers, including tourists, pilgrims, students and business professionals, by significantly reducing travel time and providing convenient non-stop connectivity between the two cities.
According to the flight schedule, the service departs from Pune at 1:20 a.m. and reaches Amritsar at 4:10 a.m. The return flight leaves Amritsar at 5:00 a.m. and lands in Pune at 7:50 a.m. The service will operate on a daily basis.
The direct connection offers easier access for travellers from Pune to Amritsar, one of India’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations. The city is home to the revered Golden Temple and attracts millions of visitors annually. Other major attractions include the historic Jallianwala Bagh memorial and the popular Attari-Wagah border ceremony, along with the city’s rich cultural heritage and renowned Punjabi cuisine.
For passengers travelling from Punjab, the route provides direct access to Pune, a leading centre for higher education, information technology, manufacturing and entrepreneurship. Pune is known for its historical landmarks, including Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace and Sinhagad Fort, and serves as a key commercial hub in western India.
With the addition of the Pune-Amritsar service, Air India Express now operates approximately 105 weekly flights from Pune, connecting the city with 12 destinations, including Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. From Amritsar, the airline currently operates 24 weekly flights to destinations such as Delhi, Dubai, Pune and Sharjah.
An Air India Express spokesperson said passengers can book tickets, pre-order ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, access Xpress Ahead priority services and purchase other travel add-ons through the airline’s official website, mobile application and partner booking platforms.
The airline said the launch is part of its broader network expansion strategy aimed at strengthening domestic and international connectivity while offering passengers more travel choices and improved convenience.