The first Air India flight connecting Delhi to the newly developed Halwara Civil Terminal in Punjab landed at 7:05 am on Friday, marking the beginning of commercial flight operations from the long-awaited airport near Ludhiana.
The inaugural service is being seen as a significant milestone for Punjab’s industrial and business sector, with leaders describing it as the fulfilment of a decades-old demand for improved air connectivity in the region. Among the passengers onboard the maiden flight were Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Sahney and Trident Group Chairman Rajinder Gupta, as reported by The Indian Express.
In a post shared on X, Ravneet Singh Bittu described the launch of flight operations at Halwara
as a historic achievement for Ludhiana and Punjab. He said the airport’s operationalisation fulfils a demand that had remained pending for nearly 30 years and added that the development is expected to strengthen local industries, trade and exports.
The minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the project, calling it a major boost for the state’s economic growth prospects.
Ludhiana Takes Flight! 🛫
A historic milestone reached today as we boarded the inaugural flight to Halwara Airport along with MP Vikramjit Sahney Ji and MP Rajinder Gupta Ji.
Fulfilling a 30-year-old demand, this operationalization is a massive boost for our local industry… pic.twitter.com/8AtttH4mMx
— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) May 15, 2026
Nearly 60 Passengers Arrive On Maiden Flight
Officials said around 60 passengers arrived at Halwara on the inaugural flight from Delhi. Several BJP leaders from Ludhiana had reportedly travelled to Delhi a day earlier to board the first commercial service back to Punjab.
The Halwara airport has been developed by expanding the existing Indian Air Force base located in the Raikot subdivision of Ludhiana district. Authorities had initially planned a ceremonial water cannon salute to welcome the first flight. However, the event was cancelled at the last moment after permission was not granted by the Indian Air Force.
Jagir Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Halwara airport under the Airports Authority of India (AAI), said the salute could not take place due to security-related concerns.
AAP Celebrations Overshadowed By Minister’s Arrest
The launch of the airport also arrived at a politically sensitive time for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab.
Punjab Industry and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora, who had been actively involved in pursuing the Halwara airport project, was unable to attend the inaugural flight after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. He is currently in ED custody.
Despite the political backdrop, local authorities organised cultural performances to welcome passengers arriving on the maiden service. Jagraon Additional Deputy Commissioner Manjit Singh Cheema said traditional Punjabi folk music and dance performances had been arranged at the airport to mark the occasion.
Air India Announces Two Daily Round Trips
According to the flight schedule released by Air India, the Delhi-Halwara route will operate two round trips daily.
The morning flight departs Delhi at 5:55 am and reaches Halwara at 7:05 am. The return flight leaves Halwara at 7:55 am and arrives in Delhi at 9:10 am. The second daily service takes off from Delhi at 12:55 pm and arrives in Halwara at 2:10 pm. The final return flight departs Halwara at 2:40 pm and reaches Delhi at 3:55 pm.
Officials expect the new connectivity to benefit Ludhiana’s industrial sector, exporters and business travellers by improving access to the national capital.
