AMRITSAR: Passengers from Punjab and the Punjabi diaspora in Australia, particularly the growing Punjabi community in Queensland, are now benefiting from improved air connectivity following the launch of Malaysia Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur–Brisbane service. The route, which became operational on November 29, currently operates five days a week and provides a vital link for travelers heading to Punjab.
The new service strengthens one-stop travel options from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (SGRDJIA), Amritsar, via Kuala Lumpur, leveraging Malaysia Airlines’ existing daily Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur flights.
In a statement, Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI), said the Brisbane route significantly enhances long-haul connectivity. “With this route now operational, passengers traveling from Brisbane to Amritsar can complete their journey in approximately 17 hours, with a layover of about 3 hours at Kuala Lumpur. This makes it one of the most time-efficient one-stop options currently available for the region, ” Gumtala said.
However, Gumtala pointed out that the return journey from Amritsar to Brisbane currently involves a long layover of nearly 13 hours at Kuala Lumpur, which affects passenger comfort. FAI has appealed to Malaysia Airlines’ management to explore schedule adjustments to support elderly travelers and families.
Highlighting broader regional connectivity, Sarmuhabat Singh Randhawa, FAI’s Spokesperson for Australia & Oceania, noted that multiple options are now available for the diaspora. "In addition to Malaysia Airlines, travelers can also connect between Amritsar and Brisbane via Singapore using the Scoot and Singapore Airlines partnership, " Randhawa said.
He further emphasized that Malaysia Airlines’ codeshare partnership with Qantas enhances domestic reach. "This partnership enables Amritsar passengers to connect seamlessly to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and other Australian cities. Furthermore, the airline is increasing frequencies to Melbourne and Sydney to three daily flights, and Perth to two daily, while the Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur route will become daily in February 2026, " Randhawa added.
The FlyAmritsar Initiative leaders urged Punjabis to prioritize flying directly into Amritsar rather than Delhi. "Choosing Amritsar saves valuable time and supports the local economy. Higher passenger numbers also empower us to advocate for more international airlines to start operations from Punjab, " they concluded. They also called upon the Punjab Government to start public bus connectivity from the airport to other cities across the state.