The direct flight between Amritsar and Nanded, connecting two important Sikh religious centres, has remained suspended since April 2022. Political, religious and social organisations have repeatedly urged the Central Government and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to restart the service, but no progress has been made so far.Travelling from Amritsar to Nanded in Maharashtra by train takes nearly 36 hours, while the journey by air lasts only about two-and-a-half hours. The suspension of the flight has caused major inconvenience to pilgrims, especially senior citizens.The Amritsar-Nanded biweekly flight was launched by Air India on December 23, 2017, from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. The service continued until April 2022, when it was suspended by the airline and has not been resumed since. Senior BJP leader Gurvinder Singh Mamanke said devotees have been facing great hardship due to the closure of the direct flight.On July 3, 2024, MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla met the Union Aviation Minister and requested that direct flights between Amritsar and Nanded be restarted.Meanwhile, several organisations, including FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI), the Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM), Guru Ram Das Foundation (USA) and SEVA Trust UK, have jointly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention. In their letter, they referred to the assurance given by the Prime Minister during a Maharashtra election rally in November 2024, where he had said that direct connectivity between Nanded and Amritsar would be started soon.Manmohan Singh Brar, patron of the AVM, said the proposed flight holds deep spiritual importance as it connects Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded.Sameep Singh Gumtala, convener of the FAI, said the demand has become more significant during the nationwide observance of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib. Many devotees from the diaspora visiting Punjab this year wish to travel onward to Nanded to pay their respects.The organisations have also sent copies of their representation to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India and the National Commission for Minorities, seeking broader support for restarting the long-pending route.