Persistent Efforts of Sanjeev Arora Leads to start of flights from Halwara Airport after almost 30 Years of Delay
Chandigarh, March 29, 2026:
Recent statements made by Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu regarding the development and progress of Halwara Airport are misleading and do not reflect the ground reality.
It is pertinent to mention that during a press briefing held at Ludhiana on March 26, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora had already confirmed that flight bookings for Halwara will commence from next week. “The same was reiterated by Cabinet Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu today after three days. Some “opportunists” are merely repeating whatever has been brought into public domain by me,” he quipped.
This landmark achievement is the result of sustained, consistent, and multi-level efforts spearheaded by former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and present Cabinet Minister, Punjab, Shri Sanjeev Arora, who pursued the matter relentlessly across successive years.
The journey towards operationalisation reflects Shri Arora’s unwavering commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and supporting Punjab’s industrial and economic growth, particularly for Ludhiana and surrounding districts.
Chronology of Key Interventions and Milestones
November 22, 2022: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann intervention initiated to revive stalled progress.
December 11, 2022: Funds worth ₹50 crore released to resume construction work.
January 17, 2023: MP Sanjeev Arora urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to resume Delhi–Ludhiana flights.
April 14, 2023: MP Sanjeev Arora wrote to all airlines seeking commencement of flights from Halwara.
May 7, 2023: MP Arora advocated for expedited completion of Halwara Airport.
August 22, 2023: Approval received from Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Rajiv Bansal to push airlines to start Delhi and Mumbai flights from Halwara.
August 26, 2023: MP Sanjeev Arora visited Halwara Airport to review development progress.
January 9, 2024: Ministry of Civil Aviation provided an update on construction progress.
January 31, 2024: Request made for inauguration of the Interim Terminal Building at Halwara near Ludhiana.
July 19, 2024: Sanjeev Arora reviewed construction with officials from AAI, PWD, and the Indian Air Force.
August 13, 2024: MP Arora discussed flight operations with Tata Sons Chairman Shri N. Chandrasekaran.
August 29, 2024: MP Arora met senior officials of Air India in Gurugram; assurance received that flights would commence soon.
September 3, 2024: MP Sanjeev Arora wrote to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation seeking expedited commencement of operations.
December 21, 2024: Meeting held with AAI Chairman Shri Vipin Kumar regarding airport code and operational date.
January 8, 2025: Air India conveyed that flight operations would begin after commissioning and approval.
January 10, 2025: Air India agreed to operate flights from Halwara International Airport.
February 4, 2025: Halwara Airport received the HWR airport code.
February 19, 2025: MP Sanjeev Arora and DC Shri Jitendra Jorwal reviewed final-phase works.
May 23, 2025: Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to operationalise the Civil Air Terminal and shift flights from Sahnewal to Halwara.
June 2025: Structural works completed; interior finishing of the 2,000-square-metre terminal building and installation of glass façades concluded.
July 27, 2025: First scheduled virtual inauguration by the Hon’blle Prime Minister deferred due to technical delays.
December 2, 2025: MP Shri Rajinder Gupta urged expedited operationalisation in Rajya Sabha, citing capacity for 2,500 daily passengers.
December 29, 2025: Air India cleared the airport for five-days-a-week operations and sought additional slots.
January 15, 2026: Final security audit completed; BCAS granted operational approval.
January 28, 2026: Final site inspection conducted by DC Shri Himanshu Jain and SSP (Rural) Shri Ankur Gupta.
January 29, 2026: Official confirmation received from the PMO for February 1 inauguration; Air India requested seven-days-a-week flight slots.
February 1, 2026: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the terminal building.
Mr Sanjeev Arora said that the operationalisation of Halwara Airport is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity, reduce travel time for industry and passengers, and provide a major boost to Punjab’s industrial, export, and investment ecosystem—particularly benefitting Ludhiana, one of North India’s largest manufacturing hubs.
Shri Sanjeev Arora’s sustained follow-up, policy engagement, and coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, airline operators, and the Punjab Government ensured that the long-pending project was finally brought to fruition.
