MP Satnam Sandhu demands ‘Point of Call’ Status for Chandigarh Airport, seeks direct flights to London, Singapore and Vancouver
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, February 10, 2026: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu on Monday urged the Union government to introduce direct international flights to London, Singapore and Vancouver from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, and sought its designation as a “Point of Call” (PoC) to enable global airlines to operate from the airport.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, MP Sandhu said the limited international connectivity of Chandigarh International Airport was restricting travel and trade opportunities for Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. At present, only two international flights—to Dubai and Abu Dhabi—are operating from the airport, both managed by domestic carrier IndiGo.
Emphasising the strategic importance of Chandigarh Airport, Sandhu said it serves as a major aviation hub for a combined population of nearly seven crore across the three states. “The airport was built to handle an annual capacity of 60 lakh passengers. Currently, it handles around 40 lakh passengers annually and still has the capacity to accommodate 20 lakh more,” he said.
Calling the demand a collective aspiration of the region, the MP said, “Direct flights are already operating from Chandigarh to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is therefore a common demand of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh that international flights to London, Singapore and Vancouver be introduced and the overall number of international flights increased.”
Sandhu also highlighted the rapid growth of India’s aviation sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “In 2014, India had only 74 airports. Today, that number has crossed 163. Punjab now has two international airports—Chandigarh and Amritsar—and four domestic airports at Adampur, Halwara, Bathinda and Pathankot. This reflects infrastructure expansion, inclusive growth and regional balance,” he said.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Punjab on February 1, Sandhu welcomed the renaming of Adampur Airport as Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport and the inauguration of Halwara Airport. “Guru Ravidas Ji symbolised equality, dignity and social reform. Renaming the airport on Ravidas Jayanti reflects the Modi government’s respect for public sentiment,” he said.
However, he added that while Punjab has received significant support from the Union government, “Punjabis ka dil hamesha maange more,” reiterating the demand for enhanced international connectivity from Chandigarh.
The MP further pressed for an increase in cargo handling capacity at Punjab’s two international airports—Chandigarh and Amritsar—to boost the state’s exports. He pointed out that Chandigarh Airport has not yet been designated as a Point of Call, which prevents its inclusion in bilateral agreements required for foreign airlines to operate international routes.
Chandigarh International Airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in September 2015, was renamed Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in 2022 on the freedom fighter’s 115th birth anniversary, following the Prime Minister’s announcement during his Mann Ki Baat address.