Dispute Erupts Over Halwara Airport Launch Ahead of First Flight

Original: Punjab: Before take-off, credit war clouds Halwara airport launch

Hindustan Times•Apr 7, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

A conflict has arisen between the Indian central government and the Punjab state government regarding the launch of Halwara airport, set for May 15, 2026. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu announced a revised flight schedule, which Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora has disputed, creating confusion about the airport's operations.

Key Points

01Halwara airport's commercial operations are scheduled to begin on May 15, 2026.
02A dispute has emerged over the flight schedule between Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora.
03The new terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February.
04Halwara airport is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity for Ludhiana, which has been without commercial flights since 2014.
05The terminal was constructed at a cost of approximately ₹54 crore (roughly $6.5 million USD).

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Full Summary

The launch of Halwara airport, located 32 kilometers from Ludhiana, Punjab, is marred by a credit war between the central government and the Punjab state government. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the terminal in February, commercial flights are set to commence on May 15, 2026. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu announced a new flight schedule, claiming a morning flight from New Delhi to Halwara, which Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora has contested as misleading, insisting that the schedule remains unchanged with an early morning departure at 5:55 am. The new civil terminal, built at a cost of about ₹54 crore (roughly $6.5 million USD), aims to restore air connectivity to Ludhiana, which has lacked commercial flights since 2014 due to the closure of Sahnewal airport. The revamped facility includes a 2,000-square-metre terminal and a runway capable of accommodating larger aircraft, marking a significant improvement in regional air travel.

Key Figures

₹54 crore

Cost of the new terminal

32 km

Distance of Halwara airport from Ludhiana

2014

Year when commercial services at Sahnewal airport were discontinued

2,000 square meters

Size of the new terminal

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Why It Matters

The launch of Halwara airport is expected to significantly improve air travel options for Ludhiana residents, who have been without commercial flights for over a decade.

Who is affected

Travelers from Ludhiana and nearby regions seeking air connectivity.

What to know

Local residents should stay informed about the finalized flight schedules as the launch date approaches.

FAQ

Commercial operations at Halwara airport are set to begin on May 15, 2026.

The dispute arose between Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora, with conflicting claims about the flight timings from New Delhi to Halwara.

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