Air India to Launch Delhi-Halwara Flights, Ending Ludhiana's Air Drought in March

Commercial flight operations are set to begin from Punjab’s newly inaugurated Halwara airport in the first week of March 2026.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora confirmed the launch, stating that he is in regular contact with the operating carrier. Air India will initiate domestic services on the key Delhi-Halwara route, a move long-awaited by the region’s business community. The commencement of flights on March 1, 2026, ends an 18-month air-connectivity drought for Ludhiana, a major industrial center.

Key Operational Details

Air India has secured approval to operate two daily flights, five days a week, utilizing an Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft. This aircraft is capable of carrying up to 180 passengers per flight. The initial travel time between the two cities is estimated to be about one hour.

The new civil aviation terminal is developed at the existing Indian Air Force base in the Raikot subdivision. The project is a Rs 54.67-crore joint venture between the Punjab government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The terminal building was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 1, 2026.

Enhancing Regional Connectivity

Operationalizing the Halwara airport is expected to significantly boost the socio-economic development of Punjab. The new air link will primarily serve the industrial hub of Ludhiana. It will also benefit the entire Malwa region, which includes districts like Moga, Ferozepur, Faridkot, and Bathinda.

Air connectivity has been a long-standing demand from Ludhiana-based industrialists. Previously, they had to travel to Delhi, Chandigarh, or Amritsar to access commercial air services.

Infrastructure Advantage

The Halwara facility replaces the older Sahnewal airport, which faced limitations due to a short runway and inadequate night-landing aids. The new civil enclave boasts superior infrastructure, including:

• A longer runway, measuring 3,050 meters (10,007 feet), capable of handling larger aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-700.
• An Instrument Landing System (ILS), which enables more reliable operations, especially during periods of low visibility like the notorious winter fog in Punjab.
• A terminal designed to handle a capacity of 300 passengers (150 arrivals and 150 departures) at one time.

This upgrade is a key part of the broader effort to modernize regional infrastructure. Industry groups predict that the new airport could become one of the busiest in the region within three years, providing a vital alternative to road and rail travel. The new service is expected to facilitate easier travel for business and expatriate workers, supporting industrial activity, tourism, healthcare, and education across the Malwa region.

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