MUMBAI: Air India has become the first airline to announce commercial flight operations to Halwara airport, marking a key step in operationalising the long-delayed aviation hub serving Ludhiana’s industrial region.The airline said it will operate flights connecting Halwara with Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport, providing direct access between Punjab’s manufacturing centre and the national capital. The service is expected to significantly reduce travel time for passengers who currently rely on road or rail connectivity.“Beginning 15 May, Air India will operate two flights every day between Delhi and Halwara using its A320 Family aircraft and becoming the first airline to launch flights to Halwara,” said Air India in a press statement issued on Thursday. “The flight schedule has been designed to offer same-day connectivity via Delhi to destinations across the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, among others,” it said. “With this, passengers from Halwara/Ludhiana and surrounding areas can conveniently travel with Air India to Delhi and take seamless, onward connections through the same terminal to destinations such as London, Birmingham, Rome, Milan, and Paris – on a single ticket with baggage through-checked to their final destinations,” the release added.
Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial officer, Air India, said: “We are pleased to serve the people and communities in Ludhiana and neighbouring towns and cities with the convenience of travelling across continents via Delhi. With this addition to our network, we are making international travel simpler and more seamless for more customers across Punjab.”Halwara Airport, located about 32 km from Ludhiana, was inaugurated in February 2026 and is designed to handle narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320s.According to the airline, the new route will improve domestic connectivity and facilitate onward international travel via Delhi, benefiting business travellers and the region’s large NRI population. The move is also expected to support trade and economic activity in Punjab’s industrial belt.Industry estimates indicate the Ludhiana–Delhi sector could see flight durations of around 80 minutes, compared with several hours by surface transport, making it a commercially viable regional route.The development comes as authorities prepare for the start of commercial operations at Halwara, with initial schedules expected to include multiple daily flights on the Delhi route.Air India’s announcement positions it as the launch operator at the airport, which has faced years of delays but is now poised to become a key aviation gateway for Punjab’s Malwa region.
