Halwara International Airport begins operations, first Delhi flight lands in Ludhiana
PTC Web Desk: Operations officially resumed at the newly inaugurated Halwara International Airport in Ludhiana on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Punjab’s aviation infrastructure. The first flight, AI 481, arrived from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 7:05 am and received a ceremonial water cannon salute from the Airports Authority of India.
Passengers arriving on the inaugural flight were welcomed with traditional Punjabi folk performances, including giddha and bhangra. The flight carried 71 passengers from Delhi to Halwara.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, Rajya Sabha MPs Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Rajinder Gupta, along with BJP leaders, arrived on the first flight and received a grand welcome at the airport.
The return flight, AI 482, departed for Delhi at 7.55 am with 99 passengers on board. Another afternoon flight, AI 483, was scheduled to bring 40 passengers from Delhi to Halwara, while the final flight of the day, AI 484, was expected to depart for Delhi with 20 passengers.
Air India has started operating two daily flights between Delhi and Halwara. The travel duration for the Delhi-Halwara route is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
According to the Airports Authority of India, passengers are advised to reach the airport at least 90 minutes before departure. The terminal gates will close one hour before the scheduled flight time, after which entry will not be permitted.
With the commencement of operations at Halwara International Airport, the existing Sahnewal Airport will now cease operations. The Airports Authority of India has shifted its staff to Halwara, while Air India has also deployed its operational team at the new airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually inaugurated the airport on February 1 this year.
- PTC NEWS
