The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Ludhiana’s Halwara Airport Terminal on February 1 (Sunday) during a visit to Adampur in Punjab’s Jalandhar district. This step looks like a new ray of hope especially to the residents of Ludhiana and nearby areas. Initially, the Airport Authority of Inida (AAI) has granted permission to Air India to operate flights from here. Reports claim that during the initial phase, there will be two daily flights from Ludhiana to Delhi and vice versa, and later flights to other states of the country will be also be operational shortly. However, it is estimated that to start international flight operations from the airport it is going to take a few years.
As per the information, the journey between Delhi and Ludhiana will be approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and the ticket price are estimated somewhere around Rs 3,500. However, no official confirmation regarding the ticket price has been made yet. Reports indicate that the flights from the Halwara Airport will most likely be operational by March 2026.
Now that the Halwara Airport is expected to be operational soon, it is expected that the airport will give a major boost to the Punjab’s economy. Passengers from Moga, Barnala, Bathinda, Ferozepur, and surrounding districts are expected to get a significant relief. It will not only benefit Ludhiana but also the entire Malwa region’s trade is projected to gain benefit. Now, foreign investors and customers will be able to reach Ludhiana city directly and this is likely to boost the international meetings and investment opportunities. It is also being reported that in the second phase, cargo flights would also be initiated allowing Ludhiana products to be exported to abroad directly. The opening of this airport is expected to reduce the travel expense to Delhi and Chandigarh.