Halwara (Ludhiana), May 15
The long-anticipated dream of Ludhiana finally took wings today as the first-ever commercial passenger flight from Delhi touched down at the newly built civil terminal of Halwara Airport, which until now had served exclusively as a strategic Indian Air Force base. The Air India flight, carrying around 60 passengers including Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and several prominent industrialists and political leaders, landed at 7:05 AM, marking a historic milestone for Punjab’s industrial capital.
The arrival of the maiden flight was greeted with jubilation, though the ceremonial water cannon salute was dropped at the last moment due to security restrictions by the Air Force. The atmosphere remained celebratory nonetheless, with passengers and officials hailing the event as a turning point for Ludhiana’s connectivity. For decades, the city had been deprived of regular air services after Sahnewal Airport ceased operations in 2014 owing to runway limitations. The commissioning of Halwara’s civil terminal, built at a cost of ₹54 crore, has finally bridged that gap.
The new terminal, spread over 2,000 square metres, is designed to handle daily flights and accommodate larger aircraft. With two daily services now operational between Delhi and Halwara, Ludhiana residents will be able to reach the national capital in just over an hour, opening up seamless access to international connections via Delhi to destinations such as London, Rome, Milan, and Paris. This is expected to provide a major boost to Ludhiana’s textile, hosiery, and manufacturing industries, which rely heavily on timely trade and export linkages.
The inaugural flight also carried strong political undertones. The BJP showcased its presence with senior leaders onboard, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the project, while AAP leaders maintained that the state government had pushed the civil terminal’s completion after years of delay. The project itself had missed multiple deadlines over the past eight years, underscoring the challenges of coordinating civil aviation infrastructure within a defence-controlled air base.
Despite the political sparring, the significance of the moment was undeniable. For Ludhiana’s business community, students, and frequent travellers, the launch of commercial flights from Halwara represents not just convenience but a long-awaited recognition of the city’s stature as Punjab’s economic powerhouse. As the aircraft taxied to a halt on the runway this morning, it carried with it the promise of faster journeys, stronger trade, and a new chapter in Ludhiana’s connectivity with the rest of the world.
