London: Senior representatives of SEVA Trust UK and Singh Sabha Gurdwara held an important meeting with the representatives of Air India at the Park Avenue Gurdwara, Southall, London.
Cllr Charan Sekhon, Chairman of SEVA Trust UK Trust, Gurmail Singh Malhi, President of Singh Sabha Gurdwara , Air India Heathrow and Stansted Airports Manager Anil Mathen along with Raj Malhotra attended the meeting.
Anil Mathen said false rumours were being spread about stopping of Stansted Amritsar direct flight which was started on 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This flight will be continued by Air India. He said that success of any flight depends on the number of passengers and to sustain this route maximum number of travelers needs to use the flight.
He thanked SEVA Trust UK, Amritsar Vikas Manch, Gurdwaras and all organisations for their support. He said that Air India is the first and only airline in the world to honour Guru Nanak’s message of Ek Onkar Kar (God is One) written on the tails of planes. Air India respects the Sikh and all diverse communities and is committed to provide the best service to all.
On this occasion, Councillor Sekhon and Mr Malhi shared feedback from local communities about huge demand for direct flight from Heathrow to Amritsar and why more passengers would prefer to travel from Heathrow to Amritsar as compare to Stansted and Indian and Punjabi communities from USA, Canada and Europe will also benefit from Heathrow Amritsar direct connection, said Sekhon. Air India agreed to share the details about community feedback with the senior management and also consider travel data of passengers from Punjab.
Addressing the large congregation at the Gurdwara, Gurmeel Singh Malhi thanked Air India for their cooperation. He also thanked SEVA Trust UK, Amritsar Vikas Manch and all other organisations for their selfless efforts.
Cllr Sekhon thanked Air India for accepting the invite by SEVA Trust UK for the meeting. He said ‘Strong initiatives and support by Air India, Indian Govt, Mr Harpeep Singh Puri and the India High Commission, London made this direct flight possible and on behalf of local communities, we would like to thank the Govt. for fulfilling this long pending demand and giving this gift on the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.” He also thanked the President Malhi and Singh Sabha Committee for supporting the joint efforts by the SEVA Trust UK and the Amritsar Vikas Manch for direct flights to Amritsar. He also said that Anil Mathen and his entire Air India team have played a significant role in the provision of new flights.
Air India representatives were honoured with a ‘Siropa’ for their support for direct flights from London to Amritsar. Air India Manager Tina Singh was also present on the occasion.
