Chandigarh, March 30
Flight bookings for the upcoming Halwara airport in Punjab are expected to begin in April, with the first commercial flight likely to take off between May 10 and 15, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced on Sunday.
Calling it a proud moment for the state, Bittu said operations will initially start with a 160-seater Airbus A320 aircraft. In the first phase, two daily flights will operate between Delhi and Halwara—one in the morning and another in the afternoon—significantly improving regional connectivity.
Bittu said the long-awaited project is expected to boost travel, trade, and overall economic growth in Punjab. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and continued focus on strengthening infrastructure in the state.
Meanwhile, Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora noted that he had already announced during a press briefing in Ludhiana on March 26 that bookings would begin the following week. In an apparent swipe at Bittu, Arora remarked that some individuals were merely repeating information already placed in the public domain.
The airport’s terminal building was virtually inaugurated by Modi during his recent visit to Jalandhar. Developed at an Indian Air Force base in Halwara, the civil terminal is expected to play a key role in enhancing connectivity and supporting industrial and economic growth in the region.
Improved air connectivity has long been a major demand of Ludhiana’s industrial sector, which currently relies on airports in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Amritsar. The operationalisation of Halwara airport is expected to reduce travel time and provide a significant boost to industry, tourism, healthcare, and education, contributing to the broader socio-economic development of Punjab.
According to the state government, the project is the result of sustained efforts and coordination between multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India, with Arora playing a key role in pushing the initiative forward.
