Desires for direct flights to the US increase with the wedding season from November to January as most of the Gujju folks visit their hometown to attend weddings and festivities with fervour.

Since a significant number of Gujarati families are settled in the US, demand for direct flights from Ahmedabad to the US has been on the rise.

Gujaratis comprise an average of 60% of the passengers on flights to and from the US. 

As there are no direct flights between Gujarat and the US, the NRGs reach Ahmedabad via Delhi or Mumbai, wasting a number of hours waiting at the airports. 

Check-in and security also take a toll on lakhs of tourists who are travelling back to the US, due to which the elderly and students suffer the most.

Direct flight from Ahmedabad to the US?

Though Air India had begun operating a direct flight from Ahmedabad to the US, it closed down in 2007. ‘Outdated screening facilities’ at the Ahmedabad Airport was the reason behind the closure, according to the US government.

The direct flight was once again resumed, however, it was terminated once again when the COVID-19 hit.

The Federation Of Gujarati Associations (FOGA) has reportedly made representations at different levels to start direct Ahmedabad-US flights.

“Of the around 50 lakh Indians living in the US, more than 17 lakh are Gujaratis who travel annually or every two years to visit their native country; still, there are no direct flights between Ahmedabad and the US,” said the chairperson at the Federation of Gujarati Association (FOGA).

A direct flight from Gujarat to the US seems like the need of the hour as jet-lagged NRGs go through prolonged waits, hours of layovers, and numerous halts.

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