His elderly mother having to resort to multiple flight connections to visit him from India and similar experiences of members of the Scottish Indian community strengthened Puneet Dwivedi’s resolve to campaign for direct flights between Scotland and India. Indo Scot Direct, officially launched in Edinburgh this week, is the result of painstaking research and a determination to plug this obvious gap in UK-India relations.
Dwivedi, a civil servant by profession, has taken on this passion project that he points out will benefit not only Indians but also create visible growth for the Scottish economy. In this exclusive interview with iGlobal, he elaborates on his mission to get flights taking off soon with the help of diaspora communities of Scotland.
What is the driving force behind Indo Scot Direct?
The growth of Indian students applying to Scottish universities supports the local economy and even helps fund places for domestic students. Tourists from India have been flocking to Scotland, which also attracts Bollywood film units going back to ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ to a new one being shot as we speak. Yet, there is no direct flight connection!
Along with my friends Samir and Ritesh, I initially reached out to the Transport Minister of Scotland in 2018. After persistent efforts, we were invited by the Scottish government’s Civil Aviation team, who acknowledged the potential but emphasised the business and commercial aspects. While Covid slowed down these plans, it only served to strengthen my conviction about the commercial viability of this route as we emerged from lockdown.
Indo Scot Direct was born as a result of support from Edinburgh Airport, advocacy from former Consul General Bijay Selvaraj, and our advocacy group made up of dedicated members like Chetan Sharma, Gopalan, Alok, Deepak, and Sujit.
What is the feedback you have had from the Scottish diaspora so far?
The feedback from the Scottish diaspora has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed relief and excitement at the prospect of a direct flight, citing the immense benefits it would bring.
There is a strong sense of support and anticipation within the community, as they recognise the potential for improved cultural integration, increased tourism, and strengthened economic ties between Scotland and India.
What would be an ideal scenario in your mind for these direct flights?
In an ideal scenario, we envision direct flights operating between Scotland and major Indian cities, such as Delhi or Mumbai, at least three to four times a week. These flights would not only cater to passenger demand but also have significant stopover/refuel potential.
For instance, flying to destinations like Australia, Singapore, and Thailand via Delhi would save substantial fuel, making the route commercially attractive. Additionally, the freight (cargo) potential is immense, with research suggesting a market worth over £300 million per year.
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What is your message for the airlines, highlighting the business case?
To the airlines, my message is clear: There is a substantial and untapped market waiting for direct flights between Scotland and India. The Indian diaspora in Scotland is growing, and so is the number of students and tourists. The demand is unstimulated without direct flights, preventing both regions from reaching their full economic potential.
Additionally, the geographical positioning of Delhi as a connecting hub for flights to Australia and Southeast Asia offers significant fuel savings and operational efficiency. The freight potential is also enormous, making this route highly lucrative. This is not just about connectivity; it’s about seizing a golden opportunity for growth and strengthening bilateral ties.
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What drew you to this campaign personally?
I have been living in the UK for more than 16 years and work in Data and Analytics for the British government. Destiny bought me to Edinburgh and when I came here, I felt that Indian diaspora is not as engaged and active as in London.
I sought to fix this and became a Trustee of Go Dharmic, a humanitarian crisis charity which serves to reduce food poverty and food wastes. During the pandemic, I got involved with helping students as the Scotland President of the Indian National Students Association (INSA). Our initiatives have helped foster a sense of community and have highlighted the significant contributions of Indian students to Scottish universities and the local economy.
This campaign for a direct flight is a personal passion project born out of my own experiences and the collective voice of the Indian community in Scotland. It represents a step towards making travel easier and fostering deeper cultural and economic ties between our two great nations.
*Info: Indo Scot Direct