Italian airline suspends flights from Toronto to Amritsar, India, citing political instability, declining bookings

A Neos Air plane is seen in this undated photo. (Neos Air/photo)

A private Italian airline has suspended all of its flights between Toronto and the northwestern Indian city of Amritsar.

In a post on its website, Neos Air cited the “current international geopolitical instability and the resulting decline in booking trends, with load factors unfortunately insufficient to ensure operational sustainability,” as the reasons for this move, which took effect on Oct. 8.

The discount airline offered weekly round trips to Amritsar, which is the second-largest city in Punjab state, from Toronto, with a five-hour layover in Milan.

Neos Air said in light of this decision its team and customer service representatives would be “fully available” to offer passengers “maximum support” in managing their booking.

Those who booked directly through www.neosair.com will receive an email with detailed refund instructions, while customers who booked through a travel agency are advised to contact their agent directly, the company said.

A live chat service is also available 24/7 on Neos Air’s homepage for those requiring further details or help, the airline indicated in the post.

Travel agents, meanwhile, are being directed to the online post for “all updated operational details.”

Travel advisories in effect for India

Currently, Global Affairs Canada is advising Canadian travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” when going to India and to follow regional travel advisories “due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.”

Those heading to northwestern India, specifically to Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan states, should avoid all travel within 10 kilometres off the border with Pakistan “due to the unpredictable security situation and presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance,” according to Global Affairs Canada.

Travellers are also being advised that the Attari-Wagah border crossing is currently closed.

Numerous flights to Amritsar are still available from Toronto on Qatar Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, and Air India, to name a few.

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