First Flight Lands at Halwara Airport Amid Political Tensions
‘Water cannon salute’ to welcome first flight at Halwara; Arora’s arrest dampens AAP show, BJP’s Bittu among first passengers
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
The inaugural flight from Delhi to the newly opened Halwara civil terminal in Ludhiana, Punjab, will be welcomed with a water cannon salute. The event is overshadowed by the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjeev Arora, which has dampened celebrations for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
- 01The first flight at Halwara airport will be ceremonially welcomed with a water cannon salute.
- 02Sanjeev Arora, a senior AAP leader, was arrested, affecting the party's participation in the inaugural event.
- 03The airport, developed from an IAF base, has been operational after several delays since its approval in December 2018.
- 04Air India will operate two daily round trips from Halwara to Delhi, facilitating international connections.
- 05The terminal's capacity is 300 passengers, and it was constructed at a cost of nearly ₹54 crore (approximately $6.5 million USD).
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The newly established Halwara civil terminal in Ludhiana, Punjab, will welcome its first flight from Delhi on Friday morning, marked by a traditional water cannon salute. The terminal, developed by expanding an Indian Air Force (IAF) base, has faced multiple delays since its approval by the Punjab Cabinet in December 2018. The project cost approximately ₹54 crore (around $6.5 million USD) and can handle 300 passengers at a time. The inaugural flight will be operated by Air India, which plans to run two daily round trips, providing connectivity to international destinations through Delhi. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, among the first passengers, indicated that several former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members who switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would also be on board. However, celebrations for the AAP have been dampened by the arrest of senior leader Sanjeev Arora in a money laundering case, who had been a key advocate for the airport's development. The airport's opening is seen as a significant political event ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
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The operational Halwara airport will enhance air connectivity for local residents and businesses, facilitating easier travel and trade.
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