Tata Group Chairman Assures Sanjeev Arora: Halwara Airport Flights Starting Soon

Flight operations from Ludhiana's Halwara Airport to Delhi are set to commence soon. Upon arriving in Ludhiana, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran informed Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora that Air India would begin accepting flight bookings starting next week.

Flights from Halwara to Delhi are expected to take off within 15 days of the booking process going live. Sanjeev Arora met with the Tata Group Chairman during the inauguration of Tata Steel's Green Steel Plant in Dhanansu, Ludhiana, at which time the details regarding the flights were shared.

Air India has already secured approval from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to operate two daily flights between Halwara and Delhi. One flight will depart from Ludhiana in the morning, and the other in the evening.

**AAI Grants NOC**

The Airports Authority of India has completed all necessary formalities to launch flight operations from Halwara Airport. Having obtained the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Air Force, the AAI has now granted clearance to Air India to commence its flight services.

**Air India Secures Office Space at Halwara Terminal**

To facilitate the launch of its flight operations, Air India has secured office space within the Halwara Airport terminal. The office setup is expected to be completed shortly. The Airports Authority of India has also urged Air India to commence flight operations as soon as possible.

**Tata Group Was the First to Agree to Operate Flights from Halwara**

Punjab's Industries Minister, Sanjeev Arora, stated that once the construction of the Halwara Airport was nearing completion, a key challenge arose: identifying which airline would operate flights from the facility. Arora recalled that he was cautioned by many that the country was facing a shortage of aircraft and that it would be difficult to secure planes for this specific route. He revealed that the Tata Group was the very first entity to give its consent to launch flight operations from the airport.

Arora further recounted that he instructed his secretary to track down the personal contact number of the Tata Group Chairman. Once the number was obtained, he sent a WhatsApp message to N. Chandrasekaran. Arora noted that, at the time, he had felt a sense of apprehension, given that he was reaching out to the Chairman of such a massive corporate conglomerate. Typically, one might expect a reply within three or four days—or perhaps no reply at all. However, I was astonished to receive a message just 40 minutes later, and by the very next day, a meeting with Air India officials took place in Delhi.

**CM Says: Launch Flights from Punjab to Canada, the US, and Other Nations**

CM Bhagwant Mann urged Tata Group Chairman S. Chandrasekaran to launch flight services from various airports in Punjab—including Halwara—to destinations such as Canada, the United States, Australia, England, and other countries. He emphasized that Punjabis reside in every corner of the globe, assuring him, "If you launch these flights, not a single seat on the aircraft will remain empty."

**Phase 1: Two Flights to Delhi to Commence**

In the initial phase, two daily flights will operate from Ludhiana to Delhi, and two flights will travel from Delhi to Ludhiana. Subsequently, approval will be granted for flights connecting to other states within the country. However, the launch of international flights may take approximately another two years.

**Reach Delhi in 1 Hour and 20 Minutes**

The journey between Delhi and Ludhiana is expected to take 1 hour and 20 minutes. Ticket prices for this route are likely to range between ₹2,800 and ₹3,500; however, the exact fares have not yet been finalized. Passengers will be required to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their scheduled flight departure.

**Inaugurated by the Prime Minister on February 1st**

Flight operations at the Halwara Airport in Ludhiana, Punjab, are expected to commence in March 2026. On February 1st, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the facility from the Adampur Airport in Jalandhar.

**Benefits of the Halwara International Airport...**

**Boost to Punjab's Economy:** The airport will benefit trade not only in Ludhiana but across the entire Malwa region, thereby strengthening Punjab's overall economy.
**Capability for Large Aircraft Landings:** Thanks to its extended runway, the airport will be capable of accommodating commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A-321 and Boeing 737, moving beyond the limitations previously imposed by smaller aircraft like the ATR.
**Safe Operations Even in Fog:** Equipped with CAT-II and ILS systems, the airport will facilitate safe takeoffs and landings even during periods of dense fog in the winter season. Expansion of Ludhiana's Industry: Direct flight connectivity will boost business, production, and employment within the hosiery, bicycle, and auto-parts sectors.
Direct Convenience for Business Professionals: Foreign investors and clients will now be able to reach Ludhiana directly, leading to an increase in international meetings and investments.
Planned Cargo Services: In the second phase, cargo flights will be introduced, enabling the direct export of Ludhiana's products to international markets.
Savings in Time and Cost: The need to travel to Delhi or Chandigarh will be reduced, resulting in lower taxi expenses as well as a reduction in traffic congestion and pollution.
Direct Benefits for Malwa Districts: Travelers from surrounding districts—including Moga, Barnala, Bathinda, and Ferozepur—will experience significant relief.