Chandigarh, Sep 8 (IANS): To provide better linkage between Punjab and London, British Midland International (BMI) airline will commence its flights from Amritsar Oct 14, an airline official announced here Thursday.

The thrice-weekly service will take passengers from the Sikh holy city of Amritsar to London in 12 hours, BMI sales manager Vikas Mathur said.

The flights will operate via Almaty (Kazakhstan) but passengers will not have to change aircraft there.

BMI is the second largest airline operating out of London's Heathrow airport.

"Economy class return fares start from as low as Rs.38,091, including taxes," Mathur said.

"Traditionally, Punjab and UK share deep and strong business and social relations," Mathur said. "We are glad to offer customers from Amritsar the most convenient and shortest route to travel to London."

Punjab is home to thousands of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) now settled in Britain, European countries, Canada and the United States.

Amritsar's Guru Ram Das international airport at Rajasansi, 10 km from Amritsar, is becoming popular with international airlines, who want to cash in on NRI passengers.