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Neena Welcomes Akal Air to Birmingham

West Midlands MEP, Neena Gill, meets Birmingham Airport's Chief Executive and welcomes new flights to the Punjab

On Friday, West Midlands MEP Neena Gill is meeting Birmingham Airport's Chief Executive on Thursday 16 April to discuss the new flights from Birmingham to Amristar in the Punjab.

Neena Gill said: "I would like to give Akal Air a warm welcome to Birmingham. Their new flights to Amristar, via Vienna, are vital to our region's trade and cultural links with India."

"I am also continuing my campaign to reinstate direct flights from Birmingham to India. The West Midlands is now left without any direct flights to India."

"As a West Midlands MEP and Chair of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with India, I am actively involved in ensuring that the links between our region and India continue to flourish."

"I have demanded an explanation from Air India of their decision not to renew the flights and also their refusal to let other airlines operate along the route. I have also taken up the issue with the Indian High Commission and the Indian Minister for Aviation."

"I recently wrote to the European Commissioner responsible for Transport, Antonio Tajani, to ask him to intervene. I have requested a meeting with him in Strasbourg next week. I believe that the spirit of the aviation agreement signed last year, between India and the European Union, has been contravened."

"I will be discussing this issue with Birmingham International's Chief Executive as well other pressing concerns such as the lengthening of the runway."